■i?," I 



I 



" »< H » » « «* i»7i.>^4^. 



?fiy 



f»:\\ 



i^:^7C 



I'library of congress. "^j 



^^}3] 



i 



Chap. ....i:..5!S'.':|. 
Shelf ^.':.:.^..-.. 



.il 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. | 



'^^->^^^Y^^^ 



c», 






c>>^ 



■^5>tM'«>;'>J'i 



«•>, 



C» 



^'\xcv. 



»G>^ 




HICAL 




-OB^- 



ilif 6 niiS |i^iefe0ii €i0(imftet 



'3ifr>^ 



m mtmm 



l|..i^ 



Containino; Portraits of all the Presidents of the United States, with accompanying 
Biographies of each, and Hngravings of Prominent Citizens of the Coun- 
ties, with Personal Histories of many of the Early Settlers 
and Leadino- Families. 



Biography is the only true history." — Emerson. 



THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY, 
1891. 




(L^^ 




PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



Geoigp Wasliiugtou 'J 

John Adams H 

Thomas Jeffdrsou 21) 

James MaiUsou 20 

James Monroe ^2 

John (Jniiicy Ailam> 38 

Iladi'evv Jackson 47 

Martin Van Uuren 02 



William Heiirv Harrison oli 

John Tyler. . .' 00 

James K. Polk O-l 

ZiL-harv Taylor 08 

jNIillard Fillmore 73 

Franklin Pierce 70 

James Buchanan SO 

Abraham Lincoln 81 



Andrew Jolinsou !jr> 

Ulysses S. Grant !lO 

Hntherlord D. IIaye> 102 

J ames A. Garfield lOt) 

Chester A. Arthur llo 

Grover Cleveland 117 

Benjamin Harrison liO 



:®4— '- 



HISTORY OF CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES 



u 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



Allen, I. N 28.> 

Alton, A. C :J28 

Anderson, Gander 14:i 

Andeison, H. F "J."!!) 

Anderson, Knud 172 

Anderson, S. M l.iO 

Anderson, T. A 34") 

Andrews, G. C 213 

Andrews, Xicholas *37 

Archer, Levi 'i'Jiy 

Argyle, A. S 2ilO 

Armitage, W. K 26J 

Ar(|uelte, Joseph 378 

Ayer, Ciilleu. ... 361) 

Baillet, J. H 102 

Baker, Jacob 239 

Baker, Micliael 218 

Ballon, Alvah 186 

Barber, J. L 142 

Barnum, L K I.i3 

Barr, L C ini 

Bass, A. D 371 

Bates, U. J 20.') 

Beach wood, George 218 

Beardsley, S. D 134 

Begley, t. K 205 

Begley, W. H 207 

Behm, F. W 318 



Bei I fuss. A. J 20 1 

Berg, Balthasar 242 

Bergseth, Knird S 144 

Bever. Peter 2in 

Boardman, K. A 331 

Bolger, John l!)l 

Boon, K. JI 104 

Boi-den, E KW 

]5owerman, J 346 

P.raat/,, Richard 102 

Bracket!, 11 1 203 

Bradford, C. J[ 312 

15rasier, J. F 311 

Braulin, M. F ■2'2H 

Breakey, G. M 244 

Brock wav, K. L 1 72 

Brooks, y,. F :!72 

Brown, A. S 3(i."> 

Bro»n, B. J 208 

Brown, J. I 3.i3 

Bruno, Benjamin 308 

Bryden. James 208 

Bilker, Frederick 304 

Bnllard, A. J 373 

Buugea, Joseph , 338 

Burke. George 2.53 

Burt, W. E 1.55 

Buttery, Austin 338 

Button, J. L 286 



Calleuder, H. C i.>87 

Cameron, Ale\. A ^Jy 

Canfield, K. AV 183 

Cannon, Dennis -joo 

Carleton, C. F 2iil 

Carleton, T. V :^:!4 

Carpenter, David 228 

Caslner, John 1.54 

Caves, \Vm., Jr i:,<) 

Chandler, C. L 3;i<) 

Charles, John 27i 

Chase, H. S \:ir, 

Christenson, O. C ;;28 

Christian, C. W I;i5 

Clark, J. B -01 

Clark, J. II ::i4() 

Clark, Marcus 240 

Colburn, J. W HiO 

Collins, fSylvester 3:):^ 

Cooper, Eiank 281 

Cornwell. () soo 

(.'ornell, M gvo 

Covert, James A :;;i2 

Covey, Joseph i:!l 

Co.\, John LiO 

Curran, 11. E 250 

Dailey, J. M 373 

Dankemeyer, A. F 285 



CONTENTS. 



Davis, D. R 255 

Davis, H. W 359 

Decider, H. W 183 

])e Lane, James o39 

Dewey, C. W 32G 

Dingley, A 179 

Distelborst, F. A 240 

l)ouj;las, Mark 177 

Douglas, Uobeit 231 

Douse, Wm 174 

Downer, F 137 

Downer, Homer 310 

Downer, Noble 309 

Drinkwiue, George 337 

Drink wine, Lary 327 

Duxburv. Joseph 341 

Dwyer, Frank 278 

Dwyer, Jobn 105 

Dykins, C. W 195 

Ebbe.C. II 301 

EijgeU, Uobert 131 

Eble, E. A 307 

Emerson, Andrew 375 

Escb.S. II 189 

Faming, Frank 352 

Faming, John T 330 

Faming, Wm. M 2T2 

Fessenden, H.J 211 

Fike, Ira 154 

Finch, A. O 289 

Filzmaurice. T 354 

Flanagan, Wm. J 190 

Flick, Mrs. M. A 270 

Foote, Charles 141 

Fraulz, (leorge 147 

Free, Thomas 343 

Free, William 158 

French, 15. T 352 

Fricke, William 347 

Fuller, .M. K lOfi 

Fulls, F. M 272 

Gallaher, L. W 225 

(iarlield, Gi'orge . . .374 

Gales, Jane 194 

(iaies, S. I. 320 

Gaylord, E 28S 

(Jergen, William 148 

Gibson. Joseph 297 

Gilberlson. I. W 319 

Gilbo, John 331 

(Jile, U. II 197 

Glidden, VV. II. II 250 

Goodvin, A. L 216 

(iower, EG 235 

Green, J.J 330 

(ireen, Jane 194 

G 1 i Hi n, 1 1 i ram 223 

Hall, Elizabeth 245 

Hank, Oren 335 

Hannah, C. J 132 

llansmann, August J 334 

HardLson, I) 201 

Harlow, F. M 3il0 

Hariner, P. I 251 

Hart, G. J 270 

Haskiu, C. T 295 



Heaslett, Ma.xwell 346 

Heath, Andrew 29(5 

Heath, M. V 2r,8 

Hendrickson, V 102 

Hertel, J. T 332 

Hilton, W. It 107 

Hjerleid, Syver 133 

Holden, E. M 224 

Hollenbeck, C. E 181 

Homsted, Augustus- 237 

Ilorr, H. J 1S4 

Honswill, Wm 316 

Hosley, G. I) 277 

Ilowden. Samuel 322 

Huber, Wm 318 

Ilubbell, II 152 

Hubble, J. W 15fi 

Ilugoboom, S 23G 

Humke, 11. S 324 

Hummel. R. S 159 

Hunter, T, P 163 

Huntley, Wm 302 

Hunlzicker, Henrv 361 

Hatchings, S. E .". 132 

Hyslip, C. W 344 

Jahn, C. F 374 

James, A. Iv 374 

Jensen, A. F. F 238 

Jensen, f'liris 260 

Jerald, II. V 226 

Jerard, Wm 307 

Johnson, J. A 302 

Johnson, Lewis 157 

Joseph, S. F 330 

J uslice, D o45 



Kapellen, Matt . . . 
I Keach, C. M . . 
Kennedy, Daniel. 



212 

190 

338 

Kinne, b. J gio 

Klein, P. J 107 

Klopf, J. G 210 

Krupp, C. A 222 

La Bossier, H :!62 

I La Rudde, Theo .224 

La Fleui-, C. P 131 

Lamb, ;Miles -lAT, 

I Laniz, P. F 'J,58 

' Larson, Anthony 164 

1 Larson, Christian 163 

! Larson, L. W 370 

j Lee, F. A 303 

! Lee, T. Fisk 340 

j Lehnerd, Jo-eph 149 

\ Leslie, George ]3(5 

' Lewis, E. J 170 

' Limpi'echt, F. A ]82 

Livingstone, James lijl 

Lucken, J. E 240 

Ludinglon, (;. A. .. 220 

Lyman, Wm. 1! oyi 

' Mabie, James 247 

Mack, Erastus 141) 

Mair, Alex 319 

I Manes, N. B 255 

j Mantpy. Albert 281 

Harden, Wm. II 364 



Markbam. Curtis 171 

Markham, M. S 169 

Marsh, A. B 176 

Marsh, J. C 141 

Marsh, Nelson 303 

Marshall, J. P 260 

Marx. John 363 

Mason, M 292 

Malhison, Ole 190 

Malhison, Martin 231 

Mattson, J. E 287 

Maynard, G. E 253 

McAdam,G 239 

McCaffery, M 306 

McCalvy.'R 263 

McCarty, J. A 358 

McEwen, George E 333 

McGillivrav, J. J 373 

McGrogan, J 363 

McMilTaD, J.B 234 

McNab, J. S 262 

McTaggari, D 158 

Mead,"Pbilo 330 

Mead, W. H 265 

Means, D. R 276 

Meek, Geoi'ge 215 

Meier, Henrv 253 

Meinhold, T.'K 180 

Merrill, A. D 341 

Metcalfe, D. E 380 

Allies, Charles C 174 

Miller, Emma 193 

Miller, J. B 305 

Miller, J. C 280 

Miller, J. S 317 

Mills, H. B 145 

Jlills, T. B 353 

Moody, J. C 206 

Moon, Ole E 259 

Moore, Stephen 185 

Morrison, Wm 347 

Mortibov, E 153 

Mosber,'T. G 204 

IMurray, Wm. T 329 

Nell", Alburtis 335 

Nefi", I). A 170 

Neville, M 325 

Newland, V. B 204 

Nicbols, T. H 221 

Oderbalz, Ulricli 351 

O'Hearn, Oliver 329 

O'Hearn, W. R 331 

Oldham, Aaron 188 

O'Neill, James 257 

Owens, S. R 343 

Palmer, Hiram 301 

Parkhill, G. B 368 

Partridge, Charles 244 

Patterson, Wm 317 

Pederson, Bent 392 

Perry, James 139 

Perry, J. D 351 

Peters, H. C 216 

Peters, Ludwig 233 

Peterson, Andrew 230 

Peterson, C:. C 350 

Peterson, Eli as 267 



CONTENTS. 



Peterson, John E -'DO 

Peterson, Ole lU'") 

Peterson, ]-{ansoni li"i 

Philpott, T V, 14(i 

Poate, W. E l')<> 

Polleys, A. I) 'iU 

Pope, c. c '^sa 

Pope, Jolin 1")7 

Popham, G. M ..'4U 

Poppe, C. G 210 

Poppe, Emil 141 

Poppe, E. K 2U 

Poppe, Guatav ;i34 

Potter, P. A :n4 

Pownder, W. A :«3 

Pratt, G. P 304 

Pray, H. H 178 

Pray, John K 3(iG 

Preston, Holla 141) 

Pribbernow, A :iOii 

Price, H. H Wi 

Price, \V. T 12!), 382 

Pullinc, F. II 283 

Purnefl, G. W 242 

Pynn, M. K 22i; 

Quackenbiish, E 31") 

Ralston, George 233 

Kaether, Augusta iTl 

Kedden, A. E 137 

Keineking, Wni 185 

Resebnrg, Wm 21(0 

Richard, G. \V 258 

Kicheleu, C'ai 1 35!) 

Richmond, .James 213 

Ring, L. B 179 

Hingrose, Josepli 232 

Rodman, L. W 21)1 

Rollins, O. P 381 

Root, II. M 139 

Roy, A. L 238 

'Rnsch, B. P 219 

Samul.^on, Ole 25!) 

Sanders, John 188 

Sargent, J. H 343 

Satterlee & Tift 3.50 

Scbaler, Wm 240 

Schafer, ,Iohn 237 

Schmidt, A. P 235 

Schmidt, G. P 233 

Schotield, Robert 300 

Schroeder, Peter 309 



Schwamb, .lacob 343 

Schwamb, .lohn 375 

Schwarze, II 181 

Seif, P. .T 249 

Sekien, W. B 2(11 

Shanks, Alex 151 

Sheeiiun, P. II 2fiG 

Sheldon, P. .1 212 

Short, .lames 370 

Sichler, Joseph 209 

Sichler, Rupert 219 

Slosser, Jolin J 180 

Smith, ('.A 379 

Smith, Edward 261 

Smith, (.;. F 217 

Smitli, J. O 367 

Smith, W. a 20(i 

Snyder, A. P 198 

Snyder, E. L 199 

Sparks, R. W 3.5G 

Spauldin.-r, D. J 241 

Spaulding, Jacob 241 

Spencer, I) 175 

Steinl'eldt, Jolin 354 

Steplieus, S. T 243 

.Sterling. J. R 3G7 

Sterritsky, Charles 377 

Stewart, Jolin 204 

Stine, Charles 817 

Stow, C. G IGO 

Sturdevant, Helen 277 

Sturdevant, J. R 294 

Sturdevant, L 18G 

Snilicool, Annie 202 

Sullivan, John 187 

Sylh, James 320 

Syth, Jolin 107 

Taplin, Wm. W 147 

Taylor, H. E 215 

Thiel, Herman 335 

Thomas, "W. A 355 

Tlmmpson, T. K .334 

Tilt, J. II 3.50 

Tompkins, E/.ra 138 

Tom]iUins, Jones 288 

Travis, C. B 381 

Tufts, \V. S 274 

Uerkvilz, P. \V 274 

Van Gorden, C. W 313 

Varney, C. A. L 203 

Varney, H. W 279 



Varnum, G. F 317 

Vaughan, A. C 293 

Vine, Fred J i.")! 

Vine, T. R ]so 

Virch, A.N 357 

Vollrath, Wm l S7 

Vol/,, J. P i!)7 

Wage, P. C 1.34 

Wagner, Win 200 

WaUers, O. F 304 

AVariier, JI. B 323 

Warner, S. S 225 

Welch, Stephen 380 

Welsch, Henry, Sr 248 

Welsch, Henry, Jr 314 

Welsh, Albert 247 

Wendt, Henry J 208 

Wilding, George, Sr 370 

Wilding, George, Jr 371 

Wildish, John 142 

Williams, D. H 300 

Williams, George 309 

^Viltimore, B. C 304 

Winter, P. D 3O8 

Winter, O. G 254 

Winters, J. M 341) 

Witsic, Tony 1^2 

Woodworth, L. J 31.") 

Yankee, Henry W 209 

Youmans, C. A 278 

Zassenhaus, Wm 34s 

Zetsche, Prank 280 

Ziglinske, John 17.S 

PORTRAITS. 

'Andrews, Nicholas 337 

■"Cannon, Dennis 209 

Douglas, Mark 177 

'T'inch, A. O 289 

' Gallaher, L. W 225 

^Livingstone, James 101 

"McGillivray, J. J 273 

= Miller, J. B 305 

' Mills, II. B 145 

Mills, T. B 3.5;! 

O'Hearne, Oliver 329 

O'Hearne, W. R 321 

O'Neill, James 257 

Price, Hugh H 193 

Price, W. T 129 

■ Spaulding, D. J 341 

Spaulding, Jacoli 341 



(iL-.OIHiE WASHlN(,TON. 










-I- tji -T»"(g)!scr^e-T-SOIi;s)J •!- ep -I- «J8 -r- 6J9 '["""^"xOli 




i^®'i>1 




EORGE WASHING- 
TON, the "Father of 
his Country" and its 
hrst President, 1789- 
'97, was born Febru- 
ary 2-', 1732, in Wash- 
ington Parish, West- 
i.^ » ; moreland Cou n ty, Virginia. 
•aCL^V)' ^'^ father, Augustine Wash- 
^Mt^ ington, first married Jane But- 
;^f ^, i«j\ ler, who bore him four chil- 
° "^ dren, and March 6, 1730, he 
married Mary Ball. Of si.x 
chil(h-en by his second mar- 
riage, George was the eldest, 
the others being Betty, Samuel, John, Au- 
gustine, Charles and Mildred, of whom the 
youngest died in infancy. Little is known 
of the carlv years of Washington, beyond 
the fact that the house in which he was 
born was burned during his early child- 
hood, and that his father thereupon moved 
to another farm, inherited from his jiaternal 
ancestors, situated in Stafford County, on 
the north bank of the Rappahannock, where 
he acted as agent of the Principio Iron 
Works in the immediate vicinity, and died 
there in 1743. 

From earliest childhood George devel- 
oped a noble character. He had a vigorous 
constitution, a fine form, and great bodily 
strength. His education was somewhat de- 



fective, being confined to the elementary 
branches taught him by his mother and at 
a neighboring school. He developed, how- 
ever, a fondness for mathematics, and en- 
joyed in that branch the instructions of a 
private teacher. On leaving school he re- 
sided for some time at Mount Vernon with 
his half brother, Lawrence, who acted as 
his guardian, and who had married a daugh- 
ter of his neighbor at Belvoir on the Poto- 
mac, the wealthy William Fairfax, for some 
time president of the executive council of 
the colony. Both Fairfax and his son-in-law, 
Lawrence Washington, had served with dis- 
tinction in 1740 as officers of an American 
battalion at the siege of Carthagena, and 
were friends and correspondents of Admiral 
Vernon, for whom the latter's residence on 
the Potomac has been named. George's 
inclinations were for a similar career, and a 
midshipman's warrant was procured for 
him, probal)!)' through the influence of the 
Admiral ; but through the opposition of his 
mother the project was abandoned. The 
family connection with the Fairfaxes, how- 
ever, opened another career for the young 
man, who, at the age of sixteen, was ap- 
pointed surveyor to the immense estates of 
the eccentric Lord Fairfax, who was then 
on a visit at Belvoir, and who shortly after- 
ward established his baronial residence at 
Green way Court, in the Shenandoah Valley. 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UN/TED STATES. 



Three years were passed by young Wash- 
ington in a rough frontier life, gaining ex- 
perience which afterward proved very es- 
sential to him. 

In 175 1, when the Virginia militia were 
put under training wiih a view to active 
service against France, Washington, though 
only nineteen years of age, was appointed 
Adjutant with the rank of Major. In Sep- 
tember of that 3'ear the failing health of 
Lawrence Washington rendered it neces- 
sary for him to seek a warmer climate, and 
Ge irge accompanied him in a voyage to 
Bai dadoes. They returned earl3' in 1752, 
and Lawrence shortly afterward died, leav- 
ing hi 5 large property to an infant daughter. 
In his will George was named one of the 
executors and as eventual heir to Mount 
Vernon, and by the death of the infant niece 
soon succeeded to that estate. 

On the arrival of Robert Dinwiddle as 
Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia in 1752 
the militia was reorganized, and the prov- 
ince divided into four districts. Washing- 
ton was commissioned by Dinwiddie Adju- 
tant-General of the Northern District in 
1753, and in November of that year a most 
important as well as hazardous mission was 
assigned him. This was to proceed to the 
Canadian posts recentl}' established on 
French Creek, near Lake Erie, to demand 
in the name of the King of England the 
withdrawal of the French from a territory 
claimed by V^irginia. This enterprise had 
been declined by more than one officer, 
since it involved a journey through an ex- 
tensive and almost unexplored wilderness 
in the occupancy of savage Indian tribes, 
either hostile to the English, or of doubtful 
attachment. Major Washington, however, 
accei)tcd the commission with alacrit}' ; and, 
accompanied by Captain Gist, he reached 
Fort Le Bcruf on French Creek, delivered 
his dispatches and received reply, which, of 
course, was a polite refusal to surrender the 
posts. This reply was of such a character 



as to induce the Assembly of Virginia to 
authorize the executive to raise a regiment 
of 300 men for the purpose of maintaining 
the asserted rights of the British crown 
over the territory claimed. As Washing- 
ton declined to be a candidate for that post, 
the command of this regiment was given to 
Colonel Joshua Fry, and Major Washing- 
ton, at his own request, was commissioned 
Lieutenant-Colonel. On the march to Ohio, 
news was received that a party previously 
sent to build a fort at the confluence of the 
Monongahela with the Ohio had been 
driven back bv a considerable French force, 
which had completed the work there be- 
gun, and named it Fort Duquesne, in honor 
of the Marquis Duquesne, then Governor 
of Canada. This was the beginning of the 
great " French and Indian war,'' which con- 
tinued seven years. On the death of Colonel 
Fry, Washington succeeded to the com- 
mand of the regiment, and so well did he 
fulfill his trust that the Virginia Assembly 
commissioned him as Commander-in-Chief 
of all the forces i-aised in the colony. 

A cessation of all Indian hostility on the 
frontier having followed tiie expulsion of 
the French from the Ohio, the object of 
Washington was accomplished and he re- 
signed his commission as Commander-in- 
Chief of the Virginia forces. He then pro- 
ceeded to Williamsburg to take his seat in 
the General Assembly, of which he had 
been elected a member. 

January 17, 1759, Washington married 
Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, a young 
and beautiful widow of great wealth, and de- 
voted himself for the ensuing fifteen years 
to the quiet pursuits of agriculture, inter- 
rupted only by his annual attendance in 
winter upon the Colonial Legislature at 
Williamsburg, until summoned by his 
coimtry to enter upon that other arena in 
which his fame was to become world wide. 

It is unnecessary here to trace the details 
of the struggle upon the question of local 



nEonoB n'Asn/ivaToN. 



self-government, which, after ten years, cul- 
minated by act of Parliament of the port of 
Boston. It was at the instance of Virginia 
that a congress of all the colonies was called 
to meet at Philadelphia September 5, 1774, 
to secure tiicir common liberties — if possible 
by peaceful means. To this Congress 
Colonel Washington was sent as a dele- 
gate. On dissolving in October, it recom- 
mended the colonies to send deputies to 
another Congress the following spring. In 
the meantime several of the colonies felt 
impelled to raise local forces to repel in- 
sults and aggressions on the part of British 
troops, so that on the assembling of the next 
Congress, May 10, 1775, the war prepara- 
tions of the mother country were unmis- 
takable. The battles of Concord and Lex- 
ingt(Mi had been fought. Among the earliest 
acts, therefore, of the Congress was the 
selection of a commander-in-chief of the 
colonial forces. This office was unani- 
mously conferred upon Washington, still a 
member of the Congress. He accepted it 
on June 19, but on the express condition he 
should receive no salary. 

He immediately repaired to the vicinity 
of Boston, against which point the British 
ministry had concentrated their forces. As 
early as April General Gage had 3,000 
troops in and around this proscribed city. 
During the fall and winter the British policy 
clearly indicated a purpose to divide pub- 
lic sentiment and to build up a British party 
in the colonies. Those who sided with the 
ministry were stigmatized by the patriots 
as " Tories," while the patriots took to them- 
selves the name of " Whigs." 

As early as 1776 the leading men had 
come to the conclusion that there was no 
hope except in separation and indepen- 
dence. In May of that year Washington 
wrote from the head of the army in New 
York: "A reconciliation with Great Brit- 
ain is impossible. . . . . When I took 
commantl of the army, 1 abhorred the idea 



of independence ; but I am now fully satis- 
fied that nothing else will save us." 

It is not the object of this sketch to trace 
the military acts of the patriot hero, to 
whose hands the fortunes and liberties of 
the United States were confided during the 
seven years' bloody struggle tliat ensued 
until the treaty of 1783, in which England 
acknowledged the independence of each of 
the thirteen States, and negotiated with 
them, jointly, as separate sovereignties. The 
merits of Washington as a military chief- 
tain have been considerably discussed, espe- 
cially by writers in his own country. Dur- 
ing the war he was most bitterly assailed 
for incompetency, and great efforts were 
made to displace him ; but he never for a 
moment lost the confidence of either the 
Congress or the people. December 4, 1783, 
the great commander took leave of his offi- 
cers in most affectionate and patriotic terms, 
and went to Annapolis, Maryland, where 
the Congress of the States was in session, 
and to that body, when peace and order 
[irevailed everywhere, resigned his com- 
mission and retired to Mount Vernon. 

It was in 1788 that Washington was called 
to the chief magistracy of the nation. He 
received every electoral vote cast in all the 
colleges of the States voting for the office 
of President. The 4th of March, 1789, was 
the time appointed lov the Government of 
the United States to begin its operations, 
but several weeks elapsed before quorums 
of both the newly constituted houses of the 
Congress were assembled. The city of New 
York was the place where the Congress 
then met. April 16 Washington left his 
home to enter upon the discharge of his 
new duties. He set out with a purpose of 
traveling privately, and without attracting 
an}' nublic attention ; but this was impossi- 
ble. Everywhere on his way he was met 
with thronging crowds, eager to see the 
man whom they regarded as the chief de- 
fender of their liberties, and everywhere 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



he was hailed with those public manifesta- 
tions of joy, i-egard and love which spring 
spontaneously from the hearts of an affec- 
tionate and grateful people. His reception 
in New York was marked by a grandeur 
and an enthusiasm never before witnessed 
in that metropolis. The inauguration took 
place Ajiril 30, in the presence of an immense 
multitude which had assembled to witness 
the new and imposing ceremony. The oath 
of office was administered by Robert R. 
Livingston, Chancellor of the State. When 
this sacred pledge was given, he retired 
with the other officials into the Senate 
chamber, where he delivered his inaugural 
address to both houses of the newly con- 
stituted Congress in joint assembly. 

In the manifold details of his civil ad- 
ministration, Washington proved himself 
equal to the requirements of his position. 
The greater portion of the first session of 
the first Congress was occupied in passing 
the necessary statutes for putting the new 
organization into complete operation. In 
the discussions brought up in the course of 
this legislation the nature and character of 
the new system came under general review. 
On no one of them did any decided antago- 
nism of opinion arise. All held it to be a 
limited government, clothed only with spe- 
cific powers conferred by delegation from 
the States. There was no change in the 
name of the legislative department ; it still 
remained "the Congress of the United 
States of America." Tiiere was no change 
in the original flag of tiie country, and none 
in the seal, whicli still remains with the 
Grecian escutcheon borne by the eagle, 
with other emblems, imdcr the great and 
expressive motto, " E Pluribus Unuui." 

The first division of parties arose upon 
the manner of construing the powers dele- 
gated, and they were first styled "strict 
constructionists" and " latitudinarian con- 
structionists." The former were for con- 
fining the action of the Government strictly 



within its specific and limited sphere, while 
the others were for enlarging its powers by 
inference and implication. Hamilton and 
Jefferson, both members of the first cabinet, 
were regarded as the chief leaders, respect 
ively, of these rising antagonistic parties 
which have existed, under different names 
fi-om tiiat day to tliis. Washington 'vas re- 
gardedas holding a neutral position between 
them, though, by mature deliberation, he 
vetoed the first apportionment bill, in 1790, 
passed by the party headed by Hamilton, 
which was based upon a principle construct- 
ively leading to centralization or consoli- 
dation. This was the first exercise of the 
veto power under the present Constitution. 
It created considerable excitement at the 
time. Another bill was soon passed in pur- 
suance of Mr. Jefferson's views, which has 
been adhered to in principle in every ap 
portionment act passed since. 

At the second session of the new Con- 
gress, Washington announced the gratify- 
ing fact of " the accession of North Caro- 
lina" to the Constitution of 1787, and June 
I of the same year he announced by special 
message the like " accession of the State of 
Rhode Island," with his congratulations on 
the happy event which " united under the 
general Government" all the States which 
were originally confederated. 

In 1792, at the second Presidential elec- 
tion, Washington was desirous to retire; 
but he yielded to the general wish of the 
country, and was again chosen President 
by the unanimous vote of every electoral 
college. At the third election, 1796, he was 
again most urgently entreated to consent to 
remain in the executive chair. This he 
positively refused. In September, before 
the election, he gave to his countrymen his 
memorable Farewell Address, which in lan- 
guage, sentiment and patriotism was a fit 
and crowning glory of his illustrious life. 
After March 4, 1797, he again retired to 
Mount Vernon for peace, quiet and repose. 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 



'? 



His administration for the two terms had 
been successful beyond the expectation and 
hopes of even the most sanguine of his 
friends. The finances of the country were 
no longer in an embarrassed condition, the 
public credit was fully restored, life was 
given to every department of industry, the 
workings of the new system in allowing 
Congress to raise revenue from duties on 
imports proved to be not only harmonious 
in its federal action, but astonishing in its 
results upon the commerce and trade of all 
the States. The exports from the Union 
increased from $19,000,000 to over $56,000,- 
000 per annum, while the imports increased 
in about the same proportion. Three new 
members had been added to the Union. The 
progress of the States in their new career 
under their new organization thus far was 
exceedingly encouraging, not only to the 
friends of iibertv within their own limits, 
hut to their sympathizing allies in all climes 
and countries. 

01 the call again made on this illustrious 



chief to quit his repose at Mount Vernon 
and take command of all the United States 
forces, with the rank of Lieutenant-General, 
when war was threatened with France in 
1798, nothing need here be stated, except to 
note the fact as an unmistakable testimo- 
nial of the high regard in which he was still 
held by his countrymen, of all shades of po- 
litical opinion. He patriotically accepted 
this trust, but a treaty of peace put a stop 
to all action under it. He again retired to 
Mount Vernon, where, after a short and 
severe illness, he died December 14, 1799, 
in the sixty-eighth year of his age. The 
whole country was filled with gloom by this 
sad intelligence. Men of all parties in poli- 
tics and creeds in religion, in ever}' State 
in the Union, united with Congress in " pay- 
ing honor to the man, first in war, first in 
peace, and first in the hearts of his country- 
men." 

His remains were deposited in a fami'.; 
vault on the banks of the Potomac at Mount 
Vernon, where they still lie entombed. 




.,/«?* 



'4 



PRbSIDENTS OF" THE UNITED STATES. 












"4W 




^-'^■'OHN ADAMS, the second 
President of the United 
States, 1797 to 1 80 1, was 
born in the present town 
of Ouincy, then a portion 
of Braintree, Massachii- 
•- setts, October 30, 1735. His 
father was a farmer of mod- 
erate means, a worthy and 
- industrious man. He was 
a deacon in the church, and 
was very desirous of giving 
his son a collegiate educa- 
tion, hoping that he would 
become a minister of the 
gospel. But, as up to this 
time, the age of fourteen, he had been only 
a play-boy in the fields and forests, he had 
no taste for books, he chose farming. On 
being set to work, however, by his father 
out in the field, the very first day con- 
verted the boy into a lover of books. 

Accordingly, at the age of sixteen he 
entered Harvard College, and graduated in 
1755, at the age of twenty, highly esteemed 
for integrity, energy and ability. Thus, 
having no capital but his education, he 
started out into the stormy world at a time 
of great political excitement, as France and 
England were then engaged in their great 
seven-years struggle for the mastery over 
the New World. The fire of patriotism 



seized young Adams, and for a tini<r he 
studied over the question whether he 
should take to the law, to politics or the 
army. He wrote a remarkable letter to a 
friend, making prophecies concerning the 
future greatness of this country which have 
since been more than fulfilled. For two 
3-ears he taught school and studied law, 
wasting no odd moments, and at the early 
age of twent3'-two years he opened a law 
office in his native town. His inherited 
powers of mind and untiring devotion to 
his pi^Dfession caused him to rise rapidly 
in public esteem. 

In October, 1764, Mr. Adams married 
Miss Abigail Smitii, daughter of a clerg)'- 
man at Weymouth and a lad}' of rare per- 
sonal and intellectual endowments, who 
afterward contributed much to her hus- 
band's celebrity. 

Soon the oppression of the British in 
America reached its climax. The Boston 
merchants employed an attorney by the 
name of James Otis to argue the legality of 
oppressive tax law before the Superior 
Court. Adams heard the argument, and 
afterward wrote to a friend concerning the 
ability displayed, as follows : " Otis was a 
flame of fire. With a promptitude of 
classical allusion, a depth of research, a 
rapid summary of historical events and 
dates, a profusion of legal authorities and a 




f 



V^z Jda^mA 



fOHN AOAinS. 



'7 



prophetic glance into futurity, he hurried 
away all before him. Auicncan independence 
was then mid there horn. Every man of an 
immensely crowded audience appeared to 
me to go away, as I did, ready to take up 
arms." 

Soon Mr. Adams wrote an essay to be 
read before the literary club of his town, 
upon the state of affairs, which was so able 
as to attract public attention. It was pub- 
lished in American journals, republished 
in England, and was proiioiaiced by the 
friends of the colonists there as " one of the 
very best productions ever seen from North 
America." 

The memorable Stamp Act was now 
issued, and Adams entered with all the 
ardor of his soul into political life in order 
to resist it. He drew up a series of reso- 
lutions remonstrating against the act, which 
were adopted at a public meeting of the 
citizens of Braintrec, and which were sub- 
sequently adopted, word for word, by m<ire 
than forty towns in the State. Popular 
commotion prevented the landing of the 
Stamp Act papers, and the English author- 
ities then closed the courts. The town of 
Boston therelore ap[K)inted Jeremy Grid- 
ley, James Otis and John Atiams to argue a 
petition before the Governor and council 
for the re-opening of the courts; and while 
the two first mentioned attorneys based 
their argument upon the distress caused to 
the people bv the measure, Adams boldlv 
claimed that the Stamp Act was a violation 
both of the English Constitution and the 
charter of the Provinces. It is said that 
this was the first direct denial of the un- 
limited right of Parliament over the colo- 
nies. Soon after this the Stam[i Act was 
repealed. 

Directly Mr. .^.dams was emplo3'ed to 
defend Ansell Nickerson, who had killed an 
Englishman in the act of impressing him 
(Nickerson) into the King's service, and his 
client was acquitted, the court thus est.ab- 



lishing the principle that the infamous 
royal prerogative of impressment could 
have no existence in the colonial code. 
But in 1770 Messrs. Adams and Josiah 
Quincy defended a party of British soldiers 
who had been arrested for murder when 
thev had been only obeying Governmental 
orders; and when reproached for thus ap- 
parently deserting the cause of popular 
liberty, Mr. Adams replied that he would a 
thousandfold rather live under the domina- 
tion of the worst oi England's kings than 
under that of a lawless mob. Next, after 
serving a term as a memlier of the Colonial 
Legislature from Boston, Mr. Adams, hnd- 
ing his health affected bv too great labor, 
retired to his native home at Bi'aintree. 

The year 1774 soon arrived, with its fa- 
mous Boston '• Tea Part}-," the first open 
act of rebellion. Adams was sent to the 
Congress at Philadelphia ; and when the 
Attorney-General announced that Great 
Britain had " determined on her system, 
and that her power to execute it was irre- 
sistible," Adams replied : " I know that 
Great Britain has determined on her sys- 
tem, and that very determination deter- 
mines me on mine. You know that I have 
been constant in my O])position to her 
measures. The die is now cast. I have 
passed the Rubicon. Sink or swim, live or 
die, with mv countrv, is my unalterable 
determination." The rumor beginning to 
prevail at Philadelphia tiiat the Congress 
had independence in view, Adams foresaw 
that it was too soon to declare it openly. 
He advised every one to remain quiet in 
that respect; and as soon as it became ap- 
parent that he himself was for independ- 
ence, he was advised to hide himself, wiiich 
he did. 

The next year the great Revolutionary 
war opened in earnest, and Mrs. Adams, 
residing near Biiston, kept her husband ad- 
vised by letter of all the events transpiring 
in her \icinity. The battle of Bunkei' Hil' 



tS 



I'RESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



came on. Congress had to do something 
immediately. The first thing was to 
choose a commander-in-chief for the — we 
can't say " army " — the fighting men of the 
colonies. The New England delegation 
was almost unanimous in favor of appoint- 
mg General Ward, then at the head of the 
Massachusetts forces, but Mr. Adams urged 
the appointment of George Washington, 
then almost unknown outside of his own 
State. He was appointed without oppo- 
sition. Mr. Adams offered the resolution, 
which was adopted, annulling all the royal 
authority in the colonies. Having thus 
prepared the way, a few weeks later, viz., 
June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee, of Vir- 
ginia, who a few months before had declared 
that the British Government would aban- 
don its oppressive measures, now offered 
the memorable resolution, seconded by 
Adams, "that these United States are, and 
of right ought to be, free and independent." 
Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Sherman and 
Livingston were then appointed a commit- 
tee to draught a declaration of independ- 
ence. Mr. Jefferson desired Mr. Adams 
to draw up the bold document, but the 
latter persuaded Mr. Jefferson to perform 
that responsible task. The Declaration 
drawn up, Mr. Adams became its foremost 
defender on the floor of Congress. It was 
signed by all the fifty-five members present, 
and the next day Mr. Adams wrote to his 
wife how great a deed was done, and how 
proud he was of it. Mr. Adams continued 
to be the leading man of Congress, and 
the leading advocate of American inde- 
pendence. Above all other Americans, 
he was considered by every one the prin- 
cipal shining mark for British vengeance. 
Thus circumstanced, he was appointed to 
the most dangerous task of crossing the 
ocean in winter, exposed to capture by the 
British, who knew of his mission, which 
was to visit Paris and solicit the co-opera- 
tion of the French. Besides, to take him- 



self away from the country of which he 
was the most prominent defender, at that 
critical time, was an act of the greatest self- 
sacrifice. Sure enough, while crossing the 
sea, he had two very narrow escapes from 
capture ; and the transit was otherwise a 
stormy and eventful one. During thf- 
summer of 1779 he returned home, but was 
immediately dispatched back to France, to 
be in readiness there to negotiate terms of 
peace and commerce with Great Britain as 
soon as the latter power was ready for such 
business. But as Dr. Franklin was more 
popular than heat the court of France, Mr. 
Adams repaired to Holland, where he was 
far more successful as a diplomatist. 

The treaty of peace between the United 
States and England was finally signed at 
Paris, January 21, 1783; and the re-action 
from so great excitement as Mr. Adams had 
so long been experiencing threw him into 
a dangerous fever. Before he fully re- 
covered he was in London, whence he was 
dispatched again to Amsterdam to negoti- 
ate another loan. Compliance with this 
order undermined his physical constitution 
for life. 

In 1785 Mr. Adams was appointed envoy 
to the court of St. James, to meet face to 
face the very king who had regarded him 
as an arch traitor ! Accordingly he re- 
paired thither, where he did actually meet 
and converse with George III.! After a 
residence there for about three years, he 
obtained permission to return to America. 
While in London he wrote and published 
an able work, in three volumes, entitled: 
" A Defense of the American Constitution.' 

The Articles of Confederation proving 
inefficient, as Adams had prophesied, a 
carefully draughted Constitution was 
adopted in 1789, when George Washington 
was elected President of the new nation, 
and Adams Vice-President. Congress met 
for a time in New York, but was removed 
to Philadelphia for ten years, until suitable 



JOHN ADAMS. 



■9 



buildings should be erected at the new 
capital in the District of Columbia. Mr. 
Adams then moved his family to Phila- 
delphia. Toward the close of his term of 
office the French Revolution culminated, 
when Adams and Washington rather 
sympathized with England, and Jefferson 
with France. The Presidential election of 
1796 resulted in giving Mr. Adams the first 
place by a small majority, and Mr. Jeffer- 
son the second place. 

Mr. Adams's administration was consci- 
entious, patriotic and able. The period 
was a turbulent one, and even an archangel 
could not have reconciled the hostile par- 
ties. Partisanism with reference to Eng- 
land and France was bitter, and for four 
years Mr. Adams struggled through almost 
a constant tempest of assaults. In fact, he 
was not truly a popular man, and his cha- 
efrin at not receiving a re-election was so 
great that he did not even remain at Phila- 
delphia to witness the inauguration of Mr. 
Jefferson, his successor. The friendly 
intimacy between these two men was 
interrupted for about thirteen years of their 
life. Adams finally made the first advances 
toward a restoration of their mutual friend- 
ship, which were gratefully accepted by 
Jefferson. 

Mr. Adams was glad of his opportunity 
to retire to private lile, where he could rest 
his mind and enjoy the comforts of home. 
By a thousand bitter experiences he found 
the path of public duty a thorny one. For 
twent3'-six )ears his service of the public 
was as arduous, self-sacrificing and devoted 
as ever fell to the lot of man. In one im- 
portant sense he was as much the " Father 
ol his Country " as was Washington in 
another sense. During these long years of 
anxiety and toil, in which he was laying. 
broad and deep, the foundations of tiie 



greatest nation the sun ever shone upon, he 
received from his impoverished country a 
meager support. The only privilege he 
carried with him into his retirement was 
that of franking his letters. 

Although taking no active part in public 
affairs, both himself and his son, John 
Quincy, nobly supported the policy of Mr. 
Jefferson in resisting the encroachments of 
England, who persisted in searching 
American ships on the high seas and 
dragging from them any sailors that might 
be designated by any pert lieutenant as 
British subjects. Even for this noble sup- 
port Mr. Adams was maligned by thou- 
sands of bitter enemies ! On this occasion, 
for the first time since his retirement, he 
broke silence and drew up a very able 
paper, exposing the atrocity of the British 
pretensions. 

Mr. Adams outlived nearly all his family. 
Though his physical frame began to give 
way many years before his death, his mental 
powers retained tiieir strength and vigor to 
the last. In his ninetieth year he was 
gladdened by the popular elevation of his 
son to the Presidential office, the highest in 
the gift of the people. A few months more 
passed away and the 4th of July, 1826, 
arrived. The people, unaware of the near 
approach of the end of two great lives — 
that of Adams and Jefferson — were making 
unusual preparations for a national holiday. 
Mr. Adams lay upon his couch, listening to 
the ringing of bells, the waftures of martial 
music and the roar of cannon, with silent 
emotion. Only four days before, he had 
given for a public toast, " Independence 
forever." About two o'clock in the after- 
noon he said, "And Jefferson still survives." 
But he was mistaken by an hour or so; 
and in a few minutes he had breathed his 
last. 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 










EHSH: 



Tric!.dd,dEi. 



:HEi?PFS?rgFc 



»i>C^g|^3«=i^<=>*f-» 



ii^*tf--» 




fH O M A S J E F F E R- 

son, the third Presi- 
dent of the United 
States, 1 801-9, ^\'^s 
born April 2, 1743, 
the eldest child of 
his parents, Peter 
and Jane (Randolph) Jef- 
ferson, near Charlottes- 
ville, Albemarle Count}', 
Virginia, upon the slopes 
of the Blue Ridge. When 
he -was fourteen years of 
age, his father died, leav- 
ing a widow and eight 
children. She was a beau- 
tiful and accomplished 
lady, a good letter-writer, with a fund of 
humor, and an admirable housekeeper. His 
parents belonged to the Church of England, 
and are said to be of Welch origin. But 
little is known of them, however. 

Thomas was naturally of a serious turn 
of mind, apt to learn, and a favorite at 
school, his choice studies bemg mathemat- 
ics and the classics. At the age of seven- 
teen he entered William and Mary College, 
in an advanced class, and lived in rather an 
expensive style, consequently being much 
caressed by gay society. That he was not 
ruined, is proof of his stamina of character. 
But during his second year he discarded 



society, his horses and even his favorite 
violin, and devoted thenceforward fifteen 
hours a day to hard study, becoming ex- 
traordinarily proficient in Latin and Greek 
authors. 

On leaving college, before he was twenty- 
one, he commenced the study of law, and 
pursued it diligently until he was well 
qualified for practice, upon which he 
entered in 1767. By this time he was also 
versed in French, Spanish, Italian and An- 
glo-Saxon, and in the criticism of the fine 
arts. Being very polite and polished in his 
manners, he won the friendship of all whom 
he met. Though able with his pen, he was 
not fluent in public speech. 

In 1769 he was chosen a member of the 
Virginia Legislature, and was the largest 
slave-holding member of that body. He 
introduced a bill empowering slave-holders 
to manumit their slaves, but it was rejected 
by an overwhelming vote. 

In 1770 Mr. Jefferson met with a great 
loss; his house at Shadwell was burned, 
and his valuable library of 2,000 volumes 
was consumed. But he was wealthy 
enough to replace the most of it, as from 
his 5,000 acres tilled by slaves and his 
practice at the bar his income amounted to 
about $5,000 a year. 

In 1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton. 
a beautiful, wealthy and accomplished 





9^t^7^. 



THOMAS JEFFEItSON. 



n 



young widow, who owned 40,000 acres of 
land and 130 slave?; yet he labored assidu- 
ously for the abolition of slavery. For his 
new home he selected a majestic rise of 
land upon his large estate at Shadwell, 
called Monticello, whereon he erected a 
mansion of modest yet elegant architecture. 
Here he lived in luxury, indulging his taste 
in magnificent, high-blooded horses. 

At this period the British Government 
gradually became more insolent and op- 
pressive toward the American colonies, 
and Mr. Jefferson was ever one of the most 
foremost to resist its encroachments. From 
time to time he drew up resolutions of re- 
monstrance, which were finally adopted, 
thus proving his ability as a statesman and 
as a leader. By the vear 1774 he became 
quite busy, both with voice and pen, in de- 
fending the right of the colonies to defend 
themselves. His pamphlet entitled : " A 
Summary View of the Rights of British 
America," attracted much attention in Eng- 
land. The following year he, in company 
with Georg'i Washington, served as an ex- 
ecutive committee in measures to defend 
by arms the State of Virginia. As a Mem- 
ber of the Congress, he was not a speech- 
maker, yet in conversation and upon 
committees he was so frank and decisive 
that he always made a favorable impression. 
But as late as the autumn of 1775 he re- 
mained in hcjpes of reconciliation with the 
parent country. 

At length, however, the hour arrived for 
draughting the " Declaration of Indepen- 
dence," and this responsible task was de- 
volved upon Jefferson. Franklin, and 
Adams suggested a few verbal corrections 
before it was submitted to Congress, which 
was June 28, 1776, only six days before it 
was adopted. During the three days of 
the fiery ordeal of criticism through which 
it passed in Congress, Mr. Jefferson opened 
not his lips. John Adams was the main 
champion of the Declaration on the floor 



of Congress. The signing of this document 
was one of the most solemn and momentous 
occasions ever attended to by man. Prayer 
and silence reigned throughout the hall, 
and each signer realized that if American 
independence was not finally sustained by 
arms he was doomed to the scaffold. 

After the colonies became independent 
States, Jefferson resigned for a time his seat 
in Congress in order to aid in organizing 
the government of Virginia, of which State 
he was chosen Governor in 1779, when he 
was thirty-six years of age. At this time 
the British had possession of Georgia and 
were invading South Carolina, and at one 
time a British officer, Farleton, sent a 
secret expedition to Monticello to capture 
the Governor. Five minutes after Mr. 
Jefferson escaped with his family, his man- 
sion was in possession of the enemy ! The 
British troops also destroyed his valuable 
plantation on the James River. " Had they 
carried off the slaves," said Jefferson, with 
characteristic magnanimity, " to give them 
freedom, they would have done right." 

The year 1781 was a gloomy one for the 
Virginia Governor. While confined to his 
secluded home in the forest by a sick and 
dying wife, a party arose against him 
throughout the State, severely criticising 
his course as Governor. Being very sensi- 
tive to reproach, this touched him to the 
quick, and the heap of troubles then sur- 
rounding him nearly crushed him. He re- 
solved, in despair, to retire from public life 
for the rest (jf his days. For weeks Mr. 
Jefferson sat lovingly, but with a crushed 
heart, at the bedside of his sick wife, during 
which time unfeeling letters were sent to 
him, accusing him of weakness and unfaith- 
fulness to duty. All this, after he had lost 
so much property and at the same time 
done so much for his country! After her 
death he actually fainted away, and re- 
mained so long insensible that it was feared 
he never would recover! Several weeks 



-4 



PRES/DE.VrS OF THE C/,V/TED STATES. 



passed before he could fully recover his 
equilibrium. He was never married a 
second time. 

In the spring of 1782 the people of Eng- 
land compelled their king to make to the 
Americans overtures of peace, and in No- 
vember following, Mr. JefTerson was reap- 
pointed by Congress, unanimously and 
without a single adverse remark, minister 
plenipotentiary to negotiate a treaty. 

In March, 17S4, Mr. Jefferson was ap- 
pointed on a committee to draught a plan 
for the government of the Northwestern 
Territory. His slavery-prohibition clause 
in that plan was stricken out by the pro- 
slavery majority of the committee; but amid 
all the controversies and wrangles of poli- 
ticians, he made it a rule never to contra- 
dict anybody or engage in any discussion 
as a debater. 

In company with Mr. Adams and Dr. 
Franklin, Mr. Jefferson was appointed in 
May, 1784, to act as minister plenipotentiary 
in the negotiation of treaties of commerce 
witli foreign nations. Accordingly, he went 
to Paris and satisfactorily accomplished his 
mission. The suavity and high bearing of 
his manner made all the French his friends; 
and even Mrs. Adams at one time wrote 
to her sister that he was " the chosen 
of the earth." But all the honors that 
he received, both at home and abroad, 
seemed to make no change in the simplicity 
of his republican tastes. On his return to 
America, he found two parties respecting 
the foreign commercial poHcy, Mr. Adams 
sympatliizing with that in favor of England 
and himself favoring France. 

On the inauguration of General Wash- 
ington as President, Mr. Jefferson was 
chosen by him for the office of Secretary of 
State. At this time the rising storm of the 
French Revolution became visible, and 
Washington watched it with great anxiety. 
His cabinet was divided in their views of 
constitutional government as well as re- 



garding the issues in France. General 
Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, was 
the leader of the so-called Federal party, 
while Mr. Jefferson was the leader of the 
Republican party. At the same time there 
was a strong monarchical party in this 
country, with which Mr. Adams sympa- 
thized. Some important financial measures, 
which were proposed by Hamilton and 
finally adopted by the cabinet and approved 
by Washington, were opposed by Mr. 
Jefferson ; and his enemies then began to- 
reproach him with holding office under an 
administration whose views he opposed. 
The President poured oil on the troubled 
waters. On his re-election to the Presi- 
dency he desired Mr. Jefferson to remain 
in the cabinet, but the latter sent in his 
resignation at two different times, probably 
because he was dissatisfied with some of 
the measures of the Government. His 
final one was not received until January i, 
1794, when General Washington parted 
from him with great regret. 

Jefferson then retired to his quiet home 
at Monticello, to enjoy a good rest, not even 
reading the newspapers lest the political 
gossip should disquiet him. On the Presi- 
dent's again calling him back to the office 
of Secretary of State, he replied that no 
circumstances would ever again tempt him 
to engage in anything public ! But, while 
all Eui^ope was ablaze with war, and France 
in the throes of a bloody revolution and the 
principal theater of the conflict, a new 
Presidential election in this country came 
on. John Adams was the Federal candi- 
date and Mr. Jefferson became the Republi- 
can candidate. The result of the election 
was the promotion of the latter to the Vice- 
Presidency, while the former was chosen 
President. In this contest Mr. Jefferson 
really did not desire to have either office, 
he was "so weary" of party strife. He 
loved the retirement of home more than 
any other place on the earth. 



TtiOMA.^ ^EFFEHSON. 



2S 



But for four long years his Vice-Presi- 
dency passed joylessly away, while the 
partisan strife between Federalist and Re- 
publican was ever growing hotter. The 
former party split and the result of the 
fourtt! general electii^n was the elevation of 
Mi-. Jefferson to the Presidency ! with 
Aaron Burr as Vice-President. These men 
being at the head of a growing party, their 
election was hailed everywhere with joy. 
On the other hand, many of the Federalists 
turned pale, as they believed what a portion 
of the pulpit and the press had been preach- 
ing — that Jefferson was a " scoffing atheist," 
a "Jacobin," the '' incarnation of all evil," 
" breathing threatening and slaughter! " 

Mr. Jefferson's inaugural address con- 
tained nothing but the noblest sentiments, 
expressed in fine language, and his personal 
behavior afterward exhibited the extreme 
of American, democratic simplicity. His 
disgust of European court etiquette grew 



upon 



\m 



with asje. He believed 



General Washington was somewhat 



that 

dis- 



trustful of the idtimate success of a jxjpular 
G(5vernment, and that, imbued with a little 
admiration of the forms of a monarchical 
Government, he iiad instituted levees, birth- 
days, pompous meetings with Congress, 
etc. Jefferson was always polite, even to 
slaves everywhere he met them, and carried 
in his countenance the indications of an ac- 
commodating disposition. 

The political principles of the JeiTersoni- 
an party now swept the country, and Mr. 
Jefferson himself swayed an influence which 
was never exceeded even by Washington. 
Under his administration, in 1803, the Lou- 
isiana purchase was made, for $15,000,000, 
the " Louisiana Territory ' purchased com- 
prising all the land west of the Mississippi 
to the Pacific Ocean. 

Tiie year 1S04 witnessed another severe 
loss in his family. His highly accomplished 
and most beloved daughter Maria sickened 
and died, causing as great grief in the 



stricken parent as it was possible for him to 
survive with any degree of sanity. 

The same year he was re-elected to the 
Presidency, with George Clinton as Vice- 
President. During his second term our 
relations with England became more com- 
plicated, and on June 22, 1807, near Hamp- 
ton Roads, the United States frigate 
Chesapeake was fired upon by the Brit- 
ish man-of-war Leopard, and was made 
to surrender. Three men were killed and 
ten wounded. Jefferson demanded repara- 
tion. England grew insolent. It became 
evident that war was determined upon by 
the latter power. More than 1,200 Ameri- 
cans were forced into the British service 
upon the high seas. Before any satisfactory 
solution was reached, Mr. Jefferson's 
Presidential term closed. Amid all these 
public excitements he thought constantly 
of the welfare of his lamilv, and longed 
for the time when lie could return home 
to i^emain. There, at Monticello, his sub- 
sequent life was very similar to that of 
Washington at Mt. Vernon. His hospi- 
talitv toward his numerous friends, indul- 
gence of his slaves, and misfortunes to his 
property-, etc., finally involved him in debt. 
For years his home resembled a fashion- 
able watering-place. During the summer, 
thirty-seven house servants were required! 
It was presided over by his daughter, Mrs. 
Randolph. 

M)-. Jefferson did much for the establish- 
ment of the University at Charlottesville, 
making it unsectarian, in keeping with the 
spirit of American institutions, but poverty 
and the feebleness of old age prevented 
him from doing what he would. He even 
went so far as to petition the Legislature 
for permission to dispose of some of his 
possessions by lottery, in order to raise the 
necessary funds for home expenses. It was 
granted ; but before the plan was carried 
out, Mr. Jefferson died, July 4, 1826, at 
12:sO I'. M. 



26 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



^0_ 











AMES MADISON, the 

four til President of the 

1:^^ United States, 1809-'! 7, 

was born at Port Con- 



way, 



Prince Georpfc 



Count}-, Virginia, March 
16, 1 75 1. His father. 
Colonel James Madison, was 
a wealthy planter, residing 
upon a very fine estate 
called " Montpelier," only 
twenty-five miles from the 
home of Thomas Jefferson 
at Monticello. The closest 
personal and political at- 
tachment existed between 
these illustrious men from their early youth 
until death. 

James was the eldest of a family of seven 
children, four sons and three daughters, all 
of whom attained maturity. His early edu- 
cation was conducted mostly at home, 
under a private tutor. Being naturally in- 
tellectual in his tastes, he consecrated him- 
self with unusual vigor to study . At a very 
early age he made considerable proficiency 
in the Greek, Latin, French and Spanish 
languages. In 1769 he entered Princeton 
College, New Jersey, of which the illus- 
trious Dr. VVeatherspoon was then Presi- 
dent. He graduated in 1771, with a char- 



acter of the utmost purity, and a mind 
highly disciplined and stored with all the 
learning which embellished and gave effi- 
ciency to his subsequent career. After 
graduating he pursued a course of reading 
for several months, under the guidance of 
President Weatherspoon, and in 1772 re- 
turned to Virginia, where he continued in 
incessant study for two years, nominally- 
directed to the law, but really including 
extended researches in theology, philoso- 
phy and general literature. 

The Church of England was the estab- 
lished church in Virginia, invested with all 
the prerogatives and immunities which it 
enjoyed in the fatherland, and other de- 
nominations labored under serious disabili- 
ties, the enforcement of which was rightly 
or wrongly characterized b}' them as per- 
secution. Madison took a prominent stand 
in behalf of the removal of all disabilities, 
repeatedly appeared in the court of his own 
county to defend the Baptist nonconform- 
ists, and was elected from Orange County to 
the Virginia Convention in the spring of 
1766, when he signalized the beginning of 
his public career by procuring the passage 
of an amendment to the Declaration of 
Rights as prepared by George Mason, sub- 
stituting for "toleration" a more emphatic 
assertion of religious liberty. 




/ 



/. 



ax^^ 



4y6( a<^^t-r ^^^ 



yAMES MADISON. 



39 



in 1776 he was elected a member of the 
Virginia Convention to frame the Constitu- 
tion of the State. Like Jefferson, he tooi< 
but little part in the public debates. His 
main strength lay in his conversational in- 
fluence and in his pen. In November, 1777, 
he was chosen a member of the Council of 
State, and in March, 1780, took his seat in 
the Continental Congress, where he first 
gained prominence through his energetic 
opposition to the issue of paper money by 
the States. He continued in Congress three 
years, one of its most active and influential 
members. 

In 1784 Mr. Madison was elected a mem- 
ber of the Virginia Legislature. He ren- 
dered important service by promoting and 
participating in that revision of the statutes 
which effectually abolished the remnants of 
the feudal system subsistent up to that 
time in the form of entails, primogeniture, 
and State support given the Anglican 
Church ; and his " Memorial and Remon- 
strance" against a general assessment for 
the support of religion is one of the ablest 
papers which emanated from his pen. It 
settled the question of the entire separation 
of church and State in Virginia. 

Mr. Jefferson says of him, in allusion to 
the study and experience through which he 
had already passed : 

" Trained in these successive schools, he 
acquired a habit of self-possession which 
placed at ready command the rich resources 
of his luminous and discriminating mind and 
of his extensive information, anil rendered 
him the first of every assembly of wliich he 
afterward became a member. Never wan- 
dering from his subject into vain declama- 
tion, but pursuing it closely in language 
pure, classical and copious, soothing al- 
ways the feelings of his adversaries by civili- 
ties and softness of expression, he rose to the 
eminent station which he held in the great 
N:ii:ional Convention of 17S7; and in that of 
Virginia, which followed, he sustained the 



new Constitution in all its parts, bearing off 
the palm against the logic of George Mason 
and the fervid declanintion of Patrick 
Henrj'. With these consummate powers 
were united a pure and spotless virtue 
which no calumny has ever attempted to 
suUv. Of the power and pcjlish of his pen, 
and of the wisdom of his administration in 
the highest office of the nation, I need say 
nothing. They have spoken, and will for- 
ever speak, for themselves." 

In January, 1786, Mr. Madison took the 
initiative in proposing a meeting of State 
Commissioners to devise measures for more 
satisfactory commercial relations between 
the States. A meeting was held at An- 
napolis to discuss this subject, and but five 
States were represented. The convention 
issued another call, drawn up by Mr. Madi- 
son, urging all the States to send their dele- 
gates to Philadelphia, in May, 1787, to 
draught a Constitution for the United 
States. The delegates met at the time ap- 
pointed, every State except Rhode Island 
being represented. George Washington 
was chosen president of the convention, 
and the present Constitution of the United 
States was then and there formed. There 
was no mind and no pen more active in 
framing this immortal document than the 
mind and pen of James Madison. He was, 
perhaps, its ablest advocate in the pages of 
the Federalist. 

Mr. Madison was a member of the first 
four Congresses, i789-'97, in which he main- 
tained a moderate opposition to Hamilton's 
financial policy. He declined the missi(jn 
to France and. the Secretarysiiip of State, 
and, gradually identifying himself with the 
Republican party, became from 1792 its 
avowed leader. In 1796 he was its choice 
for the Presidency as successor to Wash- 
ington. Mr. Jefferson wrote : " There is 
not another person in the United States 
with whom, being placed at the helm of our 
affairs, my mind would be so completely at 



3° 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UN /TED STATES. 



rest for the fortune of our political bark." 
But Mr. Madison declined to be a candi- 
date. His term in Congress had expired, 
and he returned from New York to his 
beautiful retreat at Montpelier. 

In 1794 Mr. Madison married a young 
widow of remarkable powers of fascination 
— Mrs. Todd. Her maiden name was Doro- 
thy Paine. She was born in 1767, in Vir- 
ginia, of Quaker parents, and had been 
educated in the strictest rules of that sect. 
When but eighteen years of age she married 
a young lawyer and moved to Philadelphia, 
where she was introduced to brilliant scenes 
of fashionable life. She speedily laid aside 
the dress and address of the Quakeress, and 
became one of the most fascinating ladies 
of the republican court. In New York, 
after the death of her husband, she was the 
belle of the season and was surrounded with 
admirers. Mr. Madison won the prize. 
She proved an invaluable helpmate. In 
Washington she was the life of society. 
If there was any diffident, timid young 
girl just making her appearance, she 
found in Mrs. Madison an encouraffinar 
friend. 

During the stormy administration of John 
Adams Madison remained in private life, 
but was the author of the celebrated " Reso- 
lutions of 1798," adopted by the Virginia 
Legislature, in condemnation of the Alien 
and Sedition laws, as well as of the " report" 
in which he defended those resolutions, 
which is, by many, considered his ablest 
State paper. 

The storm passed away ; the Alien and 
Sedition laws were repealed,. John Adams 
lost his re-election, and in 1801 Tiiomas Jef- 
ferson was chosen President. The great re- 
action in public sentiment which seated 
Jefferson in the presidential ciiair was large- 
ly owing to tiie writings of Madison, who 
was consequently well entitled to the post 
of Secretary of State. With great ability 
he discharged the duties of this responsible 



office during the eight years of Mr. Jeffer. 
son's administration. 

As Mr. Jefferson was a widower, and 
neither of his daughters could be often with 
him, Mrs. Madison usually presided over 
the festivities of the White House ; and as 
her husband succeeded Mr. Jefferson, hold- 
ing his office for two terms, this remarkable 
woman was the mistress of the presidential 
mansion for sixteen years. 

Mr. Madison being entirely engrossed by 
the cares of his office, all the duties of so- 
cial life devolved upon his accomplished 
wife. Never were such responsibilities 
more ably discharged. The most bitter 
foes of her husband and of the administra- 
tion were received with the frankly prof- 
fered hand and the cordial smile of wel- 
come; and the influence of this gentle 
woman in allaying the bitterness of party 
rancor became a great and salutary power 
in the nation. 

As the term of Mr. Jefferson's Presidency 
drew near its close, party strife was roused 
to the utmost to elect his successor. It was 
a death-grapple between the two great 
parties, the Federal and Republican. Mr. 
Madison was chosen President by an elec 
toral vote of 122 to 53, and was inaugurated 
March 4, 1809, at a critical period, when 
the relations of the United States with Great 
Britain were becoming embittered, and his 
first term was passed in diplomatic quarrels, 
aggravated by the act of non-intercourse of 
May, 1 8 10, and finally resulting in a decla- 
ration of war. 

On the 18th of June, i8i2. President 
Madison gave his approval to an act of 
Congress declaring war against Great Brit- 
ain. Notwithstanding the bitter hostility 
of the Federal party to the war, the country 
in general approved; and in the autumn 
Madison was re-elected to the Presidency 
by 128 electoral votes to 89 in favor of 
George Clinton. 

March 4, 1817, Madison yielded the Presi- 



yAMES MAD/SOAT. 



dency to his Secretary of State and inti- 
mate friend, James Monroe, and retired to 
his ancestral estate at Montpelier, where he 
passed the evening of Iiis days surrounded 
by attached friends and enjoying the 
merited respect of the whole nation. He 
took pleasure in promoting agriculture, as 
president of the county society, and in 
watching the development of the University 
of Virginia, of which he was long rector and 
visitor. In extreme old age he sat in 1829 
as a member of the convention called to re- 
form the Virginia Constitution, where his 
appearance was hailed with the most gen- 
uine interest and satisfaction, though he 
was too infirm to participate in the active 
work of revision. Small in stature, slender 
and delicate in form, with a countenance 
full ol intelligence, and expressive alike of 
mildness and dignity, he attracted the atten- 
tion of all who attended the convention, 
and was treated with the utmost deference. 
He seldom addressed the assembly, though 
he always appeared self-possessed, and 
watched witii unflagging interest the prog- 
ress of every measure. Though the con- 
vention sat sixteen weeks, he spoke only 
twice ; but when he did speak, the whole 
house paused to listen. His voice was 
feeble though his enunciation was very dis- 
tinct. One of the reporters, Mr. Stansburv, 
relates the following anecdote of Mr. Madi- 
son's last speech: 

" The next day, as there was a great call 
for it, and tiie report had not been returned 
for publication, I sent my son with a re- 
spectful note, requesting the manuscript. 
My son was a lad of sixteen, whom 1 liad 
taken with me to act as amanuensis. On 
delivering my note, he was received with 
the utmost politeness, and requested to 
come up into Mr. Madison's room and wait 
while his eye ran over the pa|)cr, as com- 
pany had prevented his attending to it. He 
did so, and Mr. Madison sat down to correct 
the report. The lad stood near him so that 



his eye fell on the pa[)er. Coming to a 
certain sentence in the speech, Mr. Madison 
erased a word and substituted another ; but 
hesitated, and not feeling satisfied with the 
second word, drew his pen through it also. 
My son was young, ignorant of the world, 
and unconscious of the solecism of which he 
was about to be guilty, when, in all simplic- 
ity, he suggesterl a word. Pnibably no 
other person tlien living would have taken 
such a liberty. But the sage, instead (it 
resjarding such an intrusion with a frown, 
raised his eyes to the boy's face with a 
pleased surprise, and said, ' Thank you, sir ; 
it is the very word,' and immediateh' in- 
serted it. I saw him the next day, and he 
mentioned the circumstance, with a compli- 
ment on the young critic." 

Mr. Madison died at Montpelier, June 2S, 
1836, at the advanced age of eighty-five. 
While not possessing the highest order of 
talent, and deficient in oratorical powers, 
he was pre-eminently a statesman, of a well, 
balanced mind. His attainments were solid, 
his knowledge copious, his judgment gener- 
ally sound, his powers of analysis and logi- 
cal statement rarely surpassed, his language 
and literary style correct and polished, his 
conversation witty, his temperament san- 
guine and trustful, his integrity unques- 
tioned, his manners sim[)le, courteous and 
winning. By these rare qualities he con- 
ciliated the -esteem not only of friends, but 
of political opponents, in a greater degree 
than any American statesman in the present 
century. 

Mrs. Madison survived her husband thir- 
teen 3-ears, and died July 12, 1849, in the 
eighty-second year of her age. She was one 
of the most remarkable women our coun- 
try has produced. Even now she is ad- 
miringly remembered in Washington as 
" Doll)' Madison," and it is fitting that iier 
memory should descend to posterity in 
company with thatof liie ccjmpanion of 
her life. 



p 



PliES/DENtS OF THE UNITb-D STATES. 




P^i 



'^«^tg?it^t^tgh'jg»^tg 



'>€t^«gS'l^(^t^t%J<^: 



',^^.. 






a:^^'"^^^i^s?si^iss^'^'^^f^ 



Sfcffl!M^^^^^W\^''^'''^^'!^!'ir^ 



mm^^ 



'mrnmrnm 



m: 



aasaaBM ^^^^?^j^^^p^5?ra?ii^T^^?^?a! gaMa3:^^assia 



t(^.-- 



•^fi.". '.';.,'.■•..'.••..'.'•..•.'*.."•>>. 



'l^ '*l"i ''l'*'"'!*. ''|<<'^|'< ''l---*^ A' 





*AMES MONROE, the fifth 
President of the United 
States, i8i7-'25, was born 
in Westmoreland County 
Virginia, April 28, 1758/ 
He was a son of Spence 
Monroe, and a descendant 
of a Scottish cavalier fam- 
ily. Like all his predeces- 
sors thus far in the Presi- 
dential chair, he enjoyed all 
the advantages of educa- 
tion which the country 
could then afford. He was 
early sent to a fine classical 
school, and at the age of six- 
teen entered William and Mary College.. 
In 1776, wlien he had been in college but 
two years, the Declaration of Independence 
was adopted, and our feeble militia, with- 
out arms, amunition or clothing, were strug- 
gling against the trained armies of England. 
James Monroe left college, hastened to 
General Washington's headquarters at New 
York and enrolled himself as a cadet in the 
army. 

At Trenton Lieutenant Monroe so dis- 
tinguished himself, receiving a wound in his 
shoulder, that he was promoted to a Cap- 
taincy. Upon recovering from his wound, 
he was invited to act as aide to Lord Ster- 
ling, and in that capacity he took an active 
part in the battles of Brandywine, Ger- 
mantovvn and Monmouth. At Germantown 



he stood by the side of Lafayette when the 
French Marquis received his wound. Gen- 
eral Washington, who had formed a high 
idea of young Monroe's ability, sent him to 
Virginia to raise a new regiment, of which 
he was to be Colonel; but so exhausted was 
Virginia at that time that the effort proved 
unsuccessful. He, however, received his 
commission. 

Finding no opportunity to enter the army 
as a commissioned officer, he returned to his 
original plan of studying law, and entered 
the office of Thomas Jefferson, who was 
then Governor of Virginia. He developed 
a very noble character, frank, maul)- and 
sincere. Mr. Jefferson said of him: 

"James Monroe is so perfectly honest 
that if his soul were turned inside out there 
would not be found a spot on it." 

In 1782 he was elected to the Assembly 
of Virginia, and was also appointed a mem- 
ber of the Executive Council. The next 
year he was chosen delegate to the Conti- 
nental Congress for a term of three years. 
He was present at Annapolis when Wash- 
ington surrendered his commission of Com- 
mander-in-chief. 

With Washington, Jefferson and Madison 
he felt deeply the inefficiency of the old 
Articles of Confederation, and urged the 
formation of a new Constitution, which 
should invest the Central Government with 
something like national power. Influenced 
by these views, he introduced a resolution 




1-^' y 



yAMBS MONROR. 



35 



that Congress should be empowered to 
regulate trade, and to lay an impost duty 
of five per cent. The resolution was refer- 
red to a committee of which he was chair- 
man. The report and the discussion which 
rose upon it led to the convention of five 
States at Annapolis, and the consequent 
general convention at Philadelphia, which, 
in 1787, drafted the Constitution of the 
United States. 

At this time there was a controversy be- 
tween New York and Massachusetts in 
reference to their boundaries. The high 
esteem in whicli Colonel Monroe was held 
is indicated bv the fact that he was ap- 
pointed one of the judges to decide the 
controversy. While in New York attend- 
ing: Conarress, he married Miss Kortright, 
a )()ung lady distinguished alike for her 
beauty and accomplishments. For nearly 
fifty years this happ\- union remained un- 
broken. In London and in Paris, as in her 
own country, Mrs. Monroe won admiration 
and affection by the loveliness of her per- 
son, the brilliancy of her intellect, and the 
amiability of her character. 

Returning to Virginia, Colonel Monroe 
commenced the practice of law at Freder- 
icksburg. He was ver}' soon elected to a 
seat in the State Legislature, and the next 
year he was chosen a member of the Vir- 
ginia convention which was assembled to 
decide upon the acceptance or rejection of 
the Constitution which had been drawn up 
at Philadelphia, and was now submitted 
to the several States. Deeply as he felt 
the imperfections of the old Confederacy, 
he was oppt)sed to the new Constitution, 
thinking, with many others of the Republi- 
can partv, that it gave too much power to 
the Central Government, and not enough 
to tiie individual States. 

In 1789 he became a member of the 
United States Senate, which office he held 
acceptably to his constituents, and with 
honor to himself for four years. 



Having opposed the Constitution as not 
leaving enough power with the States, he, 
of course, became more and more identi- 
fied with the Republican party. Thus he 
found himself in cordial co-operation with 
Jefferson and Madison. The great Re])ub- 
lican party became the dominant ]iower 
which ruled the land. 

George Washington was then President. 
England had espoused the cause of the 
Bourbons against the principles of the 
French Revolution. President Washing- 
ton issued a proclamation of neutrality be- 
tween these contending powers. France 
had helped us in the struggle for our lib- 
erties. All the despotisms of Europe were 
now combined to prevent the French 
from escaping from tyranny a thousandfold 
worse than that which we had endured. 
Colonel Monroe, more magnanimous than 
prudent, was anxious that we should help 
our old allies in their extremity. He vio- 
lently opposed tlie President's procla- 
mation as ungrateful and wanting in 
magnanimity. 

Washington, who could appreciate such 
a character, developed his calm, serene, 
almost divine greatness by appointing that 
very James Monroe, who was denouncing 
the policy of the Government, as the Minis- 
ter of that Government to the republic of 
France. He was directed by Washington 
to express to the French people our warm- 
est sympathy, communicating to them cor- 
responding resolves approved by the Pres- 
ident, and adopted by both houses of 
Congress. 

Mr. Monroe was welcomed by the Na- 
tional Convention in France with the most 
enthusiastic demonstrations of respect and 
affection. He was publicly introduced to 
that body, and received the embrace of the 
President, Merlin dc Douay, after having 
been addressed in a speech glowing with 
congratulations, and with expressions of 
desire that harmony might ever exist be 



36 



PRBSfDENTS OF THE UN/TED STATES. 



tween the two nations. The flags of the 
two republics were intertwined in the hall 
of the convention. Mr. Monroe presented 
the American colors, and received those of 
France in return. The course which he 
pursued in Paris was so annoying to Eng- 



there was no hope of any peaceful adjust- 
ment of our difficulties with the cabinet of 
St. James. War was consequently declared 
in June, 1812. Immediately after the sack 
of Washington the Secretary of War re- 
signed, and Mr. Monroe, at the earnest 



land and to the friends of England in request of Mr. Madison, assumed the ad 



this country that, near the close of Wash- 
ington's administration, Mr. Monroe, was 
recalled. 

After his return Colonel Monroe wrote a 
book of 400 pages, entitled " A View of the 
Conduct of the Executive in Foreign Af- 
fairs." In this work he very ably advo- 
cated his side of the question; but, with 
the magnanimity of the man, he recorded a 
warm tribute to the patriotism, ability- and 
spotless integrity of John Jay, between 
whom and himself there was intense antag- 
onism ; and in subsequent years he ex- 
pressed in warmest terms his perfect 
veneration for the character of George 
Washington. 

Shortly after his return to this country 
Colonel Monroe was elected Governor of 
Virgrinia, and held that office for three 
years, the period limited by the Constitu- 
tion. In 1802 he was an Envoy to France, 
and to Spain in 1805, and was Minister to 
England in 1803. In 1806 he returned to 
his quiet home in Virginia, and with his 
wife and children and an ample competence 
from his paternal estate, enjo3'ed a few years 
of domestic repose. 

In 1809 Mr. Jefferson's second term of 
office expired, and many of the Republican 
party were anxious io nominate James 
Monroe as his successor. The majority 
were in favor of Mr. Madison. Mr. Mon- 
roe withdrew his name and was soon after 
chosen a second time Governor of Virginia. 
He soon resigned that office to accept the 
position of Secretary of State, offered him 
. by President Madison. The correspond- 
ence which he then carried on with the 
British Government demonstrated that 



ditional duties of the War Department, 
without resigning his position as Secretary 
of State. It has been confidently stated, 
that, had Mr. Monroe's energies been in the 
War Department a few months earlier, the 
disaster at Washington would not have 
occurred. 

The duties now devolving upon Mr. Mon- 
roe were extremely arduous. Ten thou- 
sand men, picked from the veteran armies 
of England, were sent with a powerful fleet 
to New Orleans to acquire possession of 
the mouths of the Mississippi. Our finan- 
ces were in the most deplorable condition. 
The treasury was exhausted and our credit 
gone. And yet it was necessary to make 
the most rigorous preparations to meet the 
foe. In this crisis James Monroe, the Sec- 
retary of War, with virtue unsurpassed in 
Greek or Roman stor)', stepped forward 
and pledged his own individual credit as 
subsidiary to that of the nation, and thus 
succeeded in placing the city of New Or- 
leans in such a posture of defense, that it 
was enabled successfully to repel the in- 
vader. 

Mr. Monroe was truly the armor-bearer 
of President Madison, and the most efficient 
business man in his cabinet. His energy 
in the double capacity of Secretary, both 
of State and War, pervaded all the depart- 
ments of the country. He proposed to 
increase the army to 100,000 men, a meas- 
ure which he deemed absolutel}' necessary 
to save us from ignominious defeat, but 
which, at the same time, he knew would 
render his name so unpopular as to preclude 
the possibilitv of his being a successful can- 
didate for the Presidency. 



JAMES MONROE. 



yi 



The happy result of the conference at 
Ghent in securing peace rendered the in- 
crease of the army unnecessary; but it is not 
too much to say that James Monroe placed 
in the hands of Andrew Jackson the 
weapon with which to beat off the foe at 
New Orleans. Upon the return of peace 
Mr. Monroe resigned the department of 
war, devoting himself entirely to the duties 
of Secretary of State. These he continued 
to discharge until the close of President 
Madison's administration, with zeal which 
was never abated, and with an ardor of 
self-devotion which made him almost for- 
getful of the claims of fortune, health or 
life. 

Mr. Madison's second term expired in 
March, 1817, and Mr. Monroe succeeded 
to the Presidency. He was a candidate of 
the Republican party, now taking the name 
of the Democratic Republican. In 1821 he 
was re-elected, with scarcely any opposition. 
Out cf 232 electoral votes, he received 231. 
The slavery question, which subsequently 
assumed such formidable dimensions, now 
began to make its appearance. The State 
of Missouri, which had been carved out of 
that immense territory which we had pur- 
chased of France, applied for admission to 
the Union, with a slavery Constitution. 
There were not a few who foresaw the 
evils impending. After the debate of a 
week it was decided that Missouri could 
not be admitted into the Union with slav- 
ery. This important question was at length 
settled by a compromise proposed by 
Henry Clay. 

The famous "Monroe Doctrine," of which 
so much has been said, originated in this 
way: In 1823 it was rumored that the 
Hoi}' Alliance was about to interfere to 
prevent the establishment of Republican 
liberty in the European colonies of South 
America. President Monroe wrote to his 
old friend Thomas Jefferson for advice in 
the emergency. In his reply imder date of 



October 24, Mr. Jefferson writes upon the 
supposition that our attempt to resist this 
European movement might lead to war: 

" Its object is to introduce and establish 
the American system of keeping out of our 
land all foreign powers; of never permitting 
those of Europe to intermeddle with the 
affairs of our nation. It is to maintain our 
own principle, not to depart from it." 

December 2, 1823, President Monroe 
sent a message to Congress, declaring it to 
be the policy of this Government not to 
entangle ourselves with the broils of Eu- 
rope, and not to allow Europe to interfere 
with the affairs (jf nations on the American 
continent; and the doctrine wasannoimced, 
that any attempt on the part of the Euro- 
pean powers " to e.\'tend their system to 
any portion of this hemisphere would be 
regarded by the United States as danger- 
ous to our peace and safety." 

March 4, 1825, Mr. Monroe surrendered 
the presidential chair to his Secretary of 
State, John Quincy Adams, and retired, 
with the universal respect of the nation, 
to his private residence at Oak Hill, Lou- 
doun County, Virginia. His time had been 
so entirely consecrated to his country, that 
he had neglected his pecuniar}' interests, 
and was deeply involved in debt. The 
welfare of his country had ever been up- 
permost in his mind. 

For manv years Mrs. Monroe was in such 
feeble health tiiat she rarely appeared in 
public. In 1830 Mr. Monroe took up his 
residence with his son-in-law in New York, . 
where he died on the 4th of July, 1831. 
The citizens of New York conducted his 
obsequies with pageants more imposing 
than had ever been witnessed there before. 
Our country will ever cherish his mem- 
ory with pride, gratefully enrolling his 
name in the list of its benefactors, pronounc- 
ing him the worthy successor of the illus- 
trious men who had preceded him in the 
presidential chair. 



38 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



.CR 







-¥m^ 



ii^^" 



-.•<^^ 






iSfi I 



mim.m^^^^.m.0^^^^^h^^^:^:^^^i^^. 






OHN QUINCY ADAMS, 

the sixth President of the 
United States, i825-'9, 
was born in the rural 
home of his honored 
father, John Adams, in 
Q u i n c y , Massachusetts, 
July II, 1767. His mother, 
a woman of exalted worth, 
watched over his childhood 
during the almost constant 
absence of his father. He 
commenced his education 
at the village school, giving 
at an early period indica- 
tions of superior mental en- 
dowments. 

When eleven years of age he sailed with 
his father for Europe, where the latter was 
associated with Franklin and Lee as Minister 
Plenipotentiary. The intelligence of John 
Quincy attracted theattentionof these men 
and received from them flattering marks of 
attention. Mr. Adams had scarcely returned 
to this country in 1779 ere he was again 
sent abroad, and John Quincy again accom- 
panied him. On this voyage he commenced 
a diary, which practice he continued, with 
but few interruptions, until his death He 
journeyed with his father from Ferrol, in 
Spain, to Paris. Here he applied himself 
lor six months to study; then accompanied 



his father to Holland, where he entered, 
first a school in Amsterdam, and then the 
University of Leyden. In 1781, when only 
fourteen years of age, he was selected by 
Mr. Dana, our Minister to the Russian 
court, as his private secretary. In this 
school of incessant labor he spent fourteen 
months, and then returnedalone to Holland 
through Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg and 
Bremen. Again he resumed his studies 
under a private tutor, at The Hague. 

In the spring of 1782 he accompanied his 
father to Paris, forming acquaintance with 
the most distinguished men on the Conti- 
nent. After a short visit to England, he re- 
turned to Paris and studied until May, 
1785, when he returned to America, leav- 
ing his father an embassador at the court 
of St. James. In 1786 he entered the jun- 
ior class in Harvard University, and grad- 
uated with the second honor of his class. 
The oration he delivered on this occasion, 
the " Importance of Public Faith to the 
Well-being of a Community," was pub- 
lished — an event very rare in this or any 
other land. 

Upon leaving college at the age of twenty 
he studied law three years with the Hon. 
Theophikis Parsons in Newburyport. In 
1790 he opened a law office in Boston. The 
profession was crowded with able men, and 
the fees were small. The first vear he had 




J, i) . cAtflyVKi 



JOHN ^UINCr ADAMS. 



no clients, but not a moment was lost. The 
second year passed away, still no clients, 
and still he was dependent upon his parents 
for support. Anxiously he awaited the 
third year. The reward now came. Cli- 
ents began to enter his office, and betore 
the end of the year he was so crowded 
with business that all solicitude respecting 
a support was at an end. 

When Great Britain commenced war 
against France, in 1793, Mr. Adams wrote 
some articles, urging entire neutrality on 
the part of the United States. The view 
was not a popular one. Many felt that as 
France had helped us, we were bound to 
htlj) France. But President Washington 
coincided with Mr. Adams, and issued his 
proclamation of neutralit)'. His writings 
at this time in the Boston journals gave 
him so high a reputation, tliat in June, 
1/94, he was appointed by Washington 
resident Minister at the Netherlands. In 
July, 1797, he left The Hague to go to Port- 
ugal as Minister Plenipotentiary. Wash- 
ington at this time wrote t(^ his father, John 
Adams: 

" Without intending to compliment the 
father or the mother, or to censure any 
others, I give it as my decided opinion, 
that iSIr. Adams is the most valuable char- 
acter we have abroad; and there remains 
no doubt in my mind that he will prove the 
ablest of our diplomatic corps." 

On his way to Portugal, upon his arrival 
in London, he met with dispatches direct- 
ing him to the court of Berlin, but request- 
ing him to remain in London until he should 
receive instructions. While waiting he 
was married to Miss Louisa Catherine John- 
son, to whom he had been previously en- 
gaged. Miss Johnson was a daughter of 
Mr. Joshua Johnson, American Consul 
in London, and was a lady endowed with 
that beauty and those accomplishments 
which fitted her to move in the elevated 
sphere f'jr which she was destined. 



In July, 1799, having fulfilled all the pur- 
poses of his mission, Mr. Adams returned. 
In 1802 he was chosen to the Senate of 
Massachusetts from Boston, and then was 
elected Senator of the United States for six 
years from March 4, 1804. His reputation, 
his ability and his experience, placed him 
immediately among the most prominent 
and influential members of that body. He 
sustained the Government in its measures 
of resistance to the encroachments of Eng- 
land, destroying our commerce and insult- 
ing our flag. There was no man in America 
more familiar with the arrogance of the 
British court upon these points, and no 
one more resolved to present a firm resist- 
ance. This c(3urse, so trulv patriotic, and 
which scarcely a voice will now be found 
to condemn, alienated him from the Fed- 
eral party dominant in Boston, and sub- 
jected him to censure. 

In 1805 Mr. Adams was chosen j)rofessor 
of rhetoric in Harvard College. His lect- 
ures at this place were subsequently pub- 
lished. In 1809 he was sent as Minister to 
Russia. He was one of the commissioners 
that negotiated the treaty of peace with 
Great Britain, signed December 24, 18 14, 
and he was appointed Minister to the court 
of St. James in 1815. In 1817 he became 
vSecretary of State in Mr. Monroe's cabinet 
in which position he remained eight J-ears. 
Few will now contradict the assertion that 
the duties of that office were never more 
ably discharged. Probably the most im- 
portant measure which Mr. Adams con- 
ducted was the purchase of Florida from 
Spain for $5,000,000. 

The campaign of 1824 was an exciting 
one. Four candidates were in the field. 
Of the 260 electoral votes that were cast, 
Andrew Jackson received ninety-nine; John 
Quincy Adams, eighty-four; William H. 
Crawford, fortv-one, and Henry Clay, 
thirty-seven. As there was no choice by 
the people, the question went to the House 



43 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



of Representatives. Mr. Cla}' gave the 
vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, and he 
vifas elected. 

The friends of all disappointed candidates 
now combined in a venomous assault upon 
Mr. Adams. There is nothing more dis- 
graceful in the past history of our country 
than the abuse which was poured in one 
uninterrupted stream upon this high- 
minded, upright, patriotic man. There was 
never an administration more pure in prin- 
ciples, more conscientiously devoted to the 
best interests of the country, than that of 
John Quincy Adams; and never, perhaps, 
was there an administration more unscru- 
pulously assailed. Mr. Adams took his seat 
in the presidential chair resolved not to 
know any partisanship, but only to con- 
sult for the interests of the whole Republic, 

He refused to dismiss any man from of- 
fice for his political views. If he was a faith- 
ful officer that was enough. Bitter must 
have been his disappointment to find that the. 
Nation could not appreciate such conduct. 

Mr. Adams, in his public manners, was 
cold and repulsive; though with his per- 
s(3nal friends he was at times very genial. 
This chilling address verv seriously de- 
tracted from his popularity. No one can 
read an impartial record of his administra- 
tion without admitting that a more noble 
example of uncompromising dignity can 
scarcely be found. It was stated publicly 
that Mr. Adams' administration was to be 
put down, " though it be as pure as the an- 
gels which stand at the right hand of the 
throne of God." Many of the active par- 
ticipants in these scenes lived to regret the 
course they pursued. Some years after, 
Warren R. Davis, of South Carolina, turn- 
ing to Mr. Adams, then a member of the 
House of Representatives, said: 

'• Well do I i-emember the enthusiastic 
zeal with which we reproached the admin- 
istration of that gentleman, and the ardor 
and vehemence with which wc labored to 



bring in another. 



For the share I had in 
these transactions, and it was not a small 
one, I hope God will forgive me, for I shall 
7ievcr forgive myself." 

March 4, 1829, Mr. Adams retired from 
the Presidency and was succeeded by An- 
drew Jackson, the latter receiving 168 out 
of 261 electoral votes. John C. Calhoun 
was elected Vice-President. . The slavery 
question now began to assume pretentious 
magnitude. Mr. Adams returned to 
Quincy, and pursued his studies with una- 
bated zeal. But he was not long permitted 
to remain in retirement. In November, 
1830, he was elected to Congress. In this 
he recognized the principle that it is honor- 
able for the General of yesterday to act as 
Corporal to-day, if by so doing he can ren- 
der service to his country. Deep as are 
our obligations to John Ouincy Adams for 
his services as embassador, as Secretary of 
State and as President; in his capacit)' as 
legislator in the House of Represent n- 
tives, he conferred benefits upon our land 
which eclipsed all the rest, and which can 
never be over-estimated. 

For seventeen years, until his death, he 
occupied the post of Representative, tow- 
ering above all his peers, ever ready to do 
brave battle for freedom, and winning the 
title of " the old man eloquent." Upon 
taking his seat in the House he announced 
that he should hold himself bound to no 
party. He was usually the first in his 
place in the morning, and the last to leave 
his seat in the evening. Not a measure 
could escape his scrutin}-. The battle 
which he fought, almost singly, against the 
pro-slavery party in the Government, was 
sublime in its moral daring and heroism. 
For persisting in presenting petitions for 
the abolition of slavery, he was threatened 
with indictment by the Grand Jury, with 
expulsion from the House, with assassina- 
tion; but no threats could intimidate him, 
and his final triumph was complete. 



JOHN ^UINCr ADAMS. 



^^ 



On one occasion Mr. Adams presented a 
petition, signed by several women, against 
the annexation of Texas for the purpose of 
cutting it up into slave States. Mr. How- 
ard, of Maryland, said that these women 
discredited not only themselves, but tlieir 
section of the country, by turning from 
their domestic duties to the conflicts of po- 
litical life. 

"Are women," exclaimed Mr. Adams, 
" to have no opinions or actions on subjects 
relating to the general welfare? Where 
did the gentleman get his principle? Did 
he find it in sacred history, — in the language 
of Miriam, the prophetess, in one of the 
noblest and sublime songs of triumph that 
ever met tlie human eye or ear? Did the 
gentleman never hear of Deborah, to whom 
the chiUlreii of Israel came up for judg- 
ment ? Has he forgotten the deed of Jael, 
who slew the dreaded enemy of her coun- 
try ? Has he forgotten Esther, who, by her 
petition saved her people and her coun- 
try? 

" To go from sacred history to profane, 
does the gentleman there find it ' discredita- 
ble ' for women to take an interest in politi- 
cal affairs? Has he forgotten the Spartan 
mother, who said to her son when going 
out to battle, ' My son, come back to me 
with thy shield, or upon thy shield ? ' Does 
he remember Cloelia and her hundred com- 
panions, who swam across the river un^^er 
a shower of darts, escaping from Porsena ? 
Has he forgotten Cornelia, the mother of 
the Gracchi ? Does he not remember Por- 
tia, the wife of Brutus and the daughter of 
Cato ? 

" To come to later periods, what says the 
history of our Anglo-Saxon ancestors? 
To say noth'ng of Boadicea, tlie British 
heroine in the time of the Ca;sars, what 
name is more illustrious tiian tiiat of Eliza- 
beth? Or, if he will go to the continent, 
will he not find the names of Maria Theresa 
ot Hungarv, of the two Catherines of 



Prussia, and of Isabella of Castile, the pa- 
troness of Columbus ? Did she bring ' dis- 
credit ' on her sex by mingling in politics? " 

In this glowing strain Mr. Adams si- 
lenced and overwhelmed his antagonists. 

In January, 1842, Mr. Adams presented 
a petition from fort^'-five citizens of Haver- 
hill, Massachusetts, praying for a peaceable 
dissolution of the Union. The pro-slavery 
party in Congress, who were then plotting 
the destruction of the Government, were 
aroused to a pretense of commotion such as 
even our stormy hall of legislation has 
rarely witnessed. They met in caucus, and, 
finding that they probably would not be 
able to expel Mr. Adams from the House 
drew up a series of resolutions, which, if 
adopted, would inflict upon him disgrace, 
equivalent to expulsion. Mr. Adams had 
presented the petition, which was most re- 
spectfully worded, and had moved that it be 
referred to a committee instructed to re- 
port an answer, showing the reason whj 
the prayer ougiit not to be granted. 

It was the 25th of January. The whole 
body of the pro-slavery party came crowd- 
ing together in the House, prepared to 
crush Mr. Adams forever. One of the num- 
ber, Thomas F. Marshall, of Kentucky, was 
appointed to read the resolutions, which 
accused Mr. Adams of high treason, of 
having insulted the Government, and 01 
meriting expulsion; but for which deserved 
punishment, the House, in its great mercy, 
would substitute its severest censure. With 
the assumption of a very solemn and mag- 
isterial air, there being breathless silence in 
the audience, Mr. Marshall hurled the care- 
fully prepared anathemas at his victim. 
Mr. Adams stood alone, the whole pro-slav- 
ery party against him. 

As soon as the resolutions were read, 
every eye being fixed upon him, that bold 
old man, whose scattered locks were whit- 
ened by seventy-five j^ears, casting a wither- 
ing glance in the direction of his assailants^ 



44 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



ill a clear, shrill tone, tremulous with sup- 
pressed emotion, said: 

" In reply to this audacious, atrocious 
chargfc of hisfh treason, I call for the read- 
ing of the first paragraph of the Declaration 
of Independence. Read it ! Read it! and 
see what that saj's of the rights of a people 
to reform, to change, and to dissolve their 
Government.' 

The attitude, the manner, the tone, the 
words; the venerable old man, with flash- 
ing eye and flushed cheek, and whose ver\- 
form seemed to expand under the inspiration 
of the occasion — all presented a scene over- 
flowing in its sublimit)'. There was breath- 
less silence as that paragraph was read, in 
defense of whose principles our fathers had 
pledged their lives, their fortunes and their 
sacred honor. It was a proud hour to Mr. 
Adams as they were all compelled to listen 
to the words: 

" That, to secure these rights, govern- 
ments are instituted among men, deriving 
their just powers from the consent of the 
governed; and that whenever any form of 
government becomes destructive of those 
ends, it is the right of the people to alter or 
abolish it, and to institute new government, 
laying its foundations on such principles 
and organizing its powers in such form 
as shall seem most likely to effect their 
safety and happiness." 

That one sentence routed and baffled the 



foe. The heroic old man looked around 
upon the audience, and thundered out, 
" Read that again ! " It was again read. 
Then in a few fiery, logical words he stated 
his defense in terms which even prejudiced 
minds could not resist. His discomfited 
assailants made several attempts to rally. 
After a conflict of eleven days they gave 
up vanquished and their resolution was ig- 
nominiously laid upon the table. 

In January, 1846, when seventy-eight 
years of age, he took part in the great de- 
bate on the Oregon question, displaying 
intellectual vigor, and an extent and accu- 
racy of acquaintance with the subject that 
excited great admiration. 

On the 2ist of February, 1848, he rose on 
the floor of Congress with a paper in his 
hand to address the Speaker. Suddenly 
he fell, stricken by paralysis, and was caught 
in the arms of those around him. For a 
time he was senseless and was conveyed 
to a sofa in the rotunda. With reviving 
consciousness he opened his eyes, looked 
calmly around and said, " This is the end 0/ 
earth." Then after a moment's pause, he 
added, " I am content." These were his last 
words, and he soon breathed his last, in the 
apartment beneath the dome of the capitol 
— the theater of his labors and his triumphs. 
In the language of h3aiinology, he " died at 
his post;" he " ceased at once to work and 
live." 




^^- '■ 




jC- 



ANDREW JACKSON. 



47 



m 







yyo" t^i "•!• «)9 -I- 6J3 -T- ■# -r- K■)Slc^l^''5•oa^"•I- 



"■r-'""i*.""-i-" 



a:~A 




^^,^H.s.ru,i^ 




|^^-"^NDREW JACKSON, 

the seventh President 

of the United States, 

829-'37, was born at 

the Waxhaw Settle. 

^ ment, Union Coiin- 

j^ t_v, North CaroUna, 



March i6, 1767. His parents 
were Scotch-Irish, natives of 
Carrickfergus, who came to 
America in 1765, and settled 
on Twelve-Mile Creek, a trib- 
utary of the Cataw^ba. His 
father, who was a poor farm 
laborer, died shortly before An- 
drew's birth, when his mother removed to 
Waxhaw, where some relatives resided. 

Few particulars of the childhood of Jack- 
son have been preserved. His education 
was of the most limited kind, and he showed 
no fondness for books. He grew up to be a 
tall, lank boy, with coarse hair and freck- 
led cheeks, with bare feet dangling from 
trousers too short for him, very fond of ath- 
letic sports, running, boxing and wrestling. 
He was generous to the younger and 
weaker boys, but very irascible and over- 
bearing with his equals and superiors. He 
was profane — a vice in which he surpassed 
all other men. The character of his mother 



he revered; and it was not until after her 
death that his predominant vices gained 
full strength. 

In 1780, at the age of thirteen, Andrew, 
or Andy, as he was called, with his brother 
Robert, volunteered to serve in the Revo- 
lutionary forces under General Sumter, and 
was a witness of the latter's defeat at Hang- 
ing Rock. In the following year the 
brothers were made prisoners, and confined 
in Camden, experiencing brutal treatment 
from their captors, and being spectators of 
General Green's defeat at Hobkirk Hill. 
Through their mother's exertions the boys 
were exchanged while suffering from small- 
pox. In two days Robert was dead, and 
Andy apparently dying. The strength of 
his constitution triumphed, and he regained 
health and vigor. 

As he was getting better, his mother 
heard the cr}' of anguish from the prison- 
ers whom the British held in Charleston, 
among whom were the sons of her sisters. 
She hastened to their relief, was attacked 
bv fever, died and was buried where her 
grave could never be found. Thus Andrew- 
Jackson, when fourteen years of age, was 
left alone in the world, without father, 
mother, sister or brother, and without one 
dollar which he could call his own. He 



48 



PliBS/DBNTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



soon entered a saddler's shop, and labored 
diligently for six months. But graduall}', 
as health returned, he became more and 
more a wild, reckless, lawless boy. He 
gambled, drank and was regarded as about 
the worst character that could be found. 

He now turned schoolmaster. He could 
teach the alphabet, perhaps the multiplica- 
tion table; and as he was a very bold boy, 
it is possible he might have ventured to 
teach a little writing. But he soon began to 
think of a profession and decided to study 
law. With a very slender purse, and on 
the back of a very fine horse, he set out 
for Salisbury, North Carolina, where he 
entered the law office o( Mr. McCay. 
Here he remained two years, professedly 
studying law. He is still remembered in 
traditions of Salisburv, which say: 

" Andrew Jackson was the most roaring, 
rollicking, horse-racing, card-playing, mis- 
chievous fellow that ever lived in Salisbury. 
He did not trouble the law-books much." 

Andrew was now, at the age of twenty, 
a tall young man, being over si.x feet in 
height. He was slender, remarkably grace- 
ful and dignified in his manners, an exquis- 
ite horseman, and developed, amidst his 
loathesome profanity and multiform vices, a 
vein of rare magnanimity. His temper was 
fiery in the extreme; but it was said of him 
that no man knew better than Andrew 
Jackson when to get angiv and \vhen not. 

In 1786 he was admitted to the bar, and 
two years later removed to Nashville, 
in what was then the western district of 
North Carolina, with the appointment of so- 
licitor, or public prosecutor. It was an of- 
fice of little honor, small emolument and 
great peril. Few men could be found to 
accept it. 

And now Andrew Jackson commenced 
vigorously to practice law. It was an im- 
portant part of his business to collect debts. 
It required nerve. During the first seven 
years of his residence in those wilds he 



traversed the almost pathless forest between 
Nashville and Jonesborough, a distance of 
200 miles, twenty-two times. Hostile In- 
dians were constantly on the watch, and a 
man was liable at any moment to be shot 
down in his own field. Andrew Jackson 
was just the man for this service — a wild, 
daring, rough backwoodsman. Daily he 
made hair-breadth escapes. He seemed to 
bear a charmed life. Boldly, alone or with 
few companions, he traversed the forests, 
encountering all perils and triumphing 
over all. 

In 1790 Tennessee became a Territory, 
and Jackson was appointed, by President 
Washington, United States Attorney for 
the new district. In 1791 he married Mrs. 
Rachel Robards (daughter of Colonel John 
Donelson), whom he supposed to have been 
divorced in that year by an act of the Leg- 
islature of Virginia. Two years after this 
Mr. and Mrs. Jackson learned, to their 
great surprise, that Mr. Robards had just 
obtained a divorce in one of the courts of 
Kentucky, and tiiat the act of the Virginia 
Legislature was not final, but conditional. 
To remedy the irregularity as much as pos- 
sible, a new license was obtained and the 
marriage ceremony was again performed. 

It proved to be a marriage of rare felic- 
ity. Probablv there never was a more 
affectionate union. However rough Mr. 
Jackson might have been abroad, he was 
alwa3-s gentle and tender at home; and 
through all the vicissitudes of their lives, he 
treated Mrs. Jackson with the most chival- 
ric attention. 

Under the circumstances it was not un- 
natural that the facts in the case of this 
marriage were so misrepresented by oppo- 
nents in the political campaigns a quarter 
or a century later as to become the basis 
of serious charges against Jackson's moral- 
ity which, however, have been satisfactorily 
attested by abundant evidence. 

Jackson was untiring in his duties as 



AXDRhW y.lCA'SO.V. 



49 



United States Attorney, which demanded 
frequent journeys through the wilderness 
and exposed him to Indian hostilities. He 
acquired considerable propert\- in land, and 
obtained such intluence as to be chosen 
a member of the convention which framed 
the Constitution for tiie new State of Ten- 
nessee, in 1796, and in that year was elected 
its first Representative in Congress. Albert 
Gallatin thus describes the first appearance 
of the Hon. Andrew Jackson in the House: 

" A fall, lank, uncouth-'ooking personage, 
with locks of hair hanging over his face and 
a cue down his back, tied with an eel skin; 
his dress singular, his manners and deport- 
ment those of a rough backwoodsman." 

Jackson was an earnest advocate of the 
Democratic party. Jefferson was his idol. 
He admired Bonaparte, loved France and 
hated England. As Mr. Jackson took his 
seat, General Washington, whose second 
term of ofifice was just expiring, delivered 
his last speech to Congress. A committee 
drew up a complimentarv address in reply. 
Andrew Jackson did not approve the ad- 
dress and was one of twelve who voted 
against it. 

Tennessee had fitted out an expedition 
against the Indians, contrary to the policy 
of the Government. A resolution was intro- 
duced that the National Government 
should pay the expenses. Jackson advo- 
cated it and it was carried. This rendered 
him very popular in Tennessee. A va- 
cancy chanced soon after to occur in the 
Senate, and Andrew Jacks(jn was chosen 
United States Senator by the State of Ten- 
nessee. John Adams was then President 
and Thomas Jefferson, Vice-President. 

In 1798 Mr. Jackson returned to Tennes- 
see, and resigned his seat in the Senate. 
Soon after he was chosen Judge of the Su- 
preme Court of that State, with a salary of 
$600. This office he held six years. It is 
said that his decisions, though sometimes 
ungrammatical, were generally right. He 



did not enjoy his seat upon the bench, and 
renounced the dignity in 1804. About 
this time he was chosen Major-General of 
militia, and lost the title of judge in that of 
General. 

When he retired from the Senate Cham- 
ber, he decided to try his fortune through 
trade. He purchased a stock of goods in 
Philadelphia and sent them to Nashville, 
where he opened a store. He lived about 
thirteen miles from Nashville, on a tract of 
land of several thousand acres, mostly un- 
cultivated. He used a small block-house 
for a store, from a narrow window of 
which he sold goods to the Indians. As he 
had an assistant his office as judge did not 
materially interfere with iiis business. 

As to slavery, born in the midst of it. the 
idea never seemed to enter his mind that it 
could be wrong. He eventually became 
an extensive slave owner, but he was one of 
the most humane and gentle of masters. 

In 1S04 Mr. Jackson withdrew from pol- 
itics and settled on a plantation which he 
called the Hermitage, near Nashville. He 
set up a cotton-gin, formed a partnership 
and traded in New Orleans, making the 
voyage on flatboats. Through his hot tem- 
per he became involved in several quarrels 
and " affairs of honor," during this peiiod, 
in one of which he was severely wounded, 
but had the misfortune to kill his opponent, 
Charles Dickinson. For a time this affair 
greatly injured General Jackson's popular- 
ity. The verdict then was, and continues 
to be, that General Jackson was outra- 
geously wrong. If he subsequently felt any 
remorse he never revcalctl it to anyone. 

In 1805 Aaron Burr iiad visited Nash- 
ville and been a guest of Jackson, with 
whom he corresponded on the subject of a 
war with Spain, which was anticipated and 
desired by them, as well as by the people 
of the Southwest generall}'. 

Burr repeated his visit in September, 
1806, when he engaged in the celen-ated 



5° 



PREJIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



combinations which led to his trial for trea- 
son. He was warmly received by Jackson, 
at whose instance a public ball was given 
in his honor at Nashville, and contracted 
with the latter for boats and provisions. 
Early in 1807, when Burr had been pro- 
claimed a traitor by President Jefferson, 
volunteer forces for the Federal service 
were organized at Nashville under Jack- 
son's command; but his energy and activ- 
ity did not shield him from suspicions of 
connivance in the supposed treason. He 
was summoned to Richmond as a witness 
in Burr's trial, but was not called to the 
stand, probably because he was out-spoken 
in his partisanship. 

On the outbreak of the war with Great 
Britain in 1812, Jackson tendered his serv- 
ices, and in Januarj', 181 3, embarked for 
New Orleans at the head of the Tennessee 
contingent. In March he received an or- 
der to disband his forces; but in Septem- 
ber he again took the field, in the Creek 
war, and in conjunction with his former 
partner. Colonel Coffee, inflicted upon the 
Indians the memorable defeat at Talladeera, 
Emuckfaw and Tallapoosa. 

In May, 18 14, Jackson, who had now ac- 
quired a national reputation, was appointed 
a Major-General of the United States army, 
and commenced a campaign against the 
British in Florida. He conducted the de- 
fense at Mobile, September 15, seized upon 
Pensacola, November 6, and immediately 
transported the bulk of his troops to New 
Orleans, then threatened by a powerful 
naval force. Martial law was declared in 
Louisiana, the State militia was called to 
arms, engagements with the British were 
fought December 23 and 28, and after re-en- 
forcements had been received on both sides 
the famous victory of January 8, 181 5, 
.:rowned Jackson's fame as a soldier, and 
made him the typical American hero of 
the first half of the nineteenth century. 

In I8i7-'i8 Jackson conducted the war 



against the Seminoles of Florida, during 
which he seized upon Pensacola and exe- 
cuted by courtmartial two British subjects, 

Arbuthnot and Ambrister acts which 

might easily have involved the United 
States in war both with Spain and Great 
Britain. Fortunately the peril was averted 
by the cession of Florida to the United 
States; and Jackson, who had escaped a 
trial for the irregularity of his conduct 
onl}' through a division of opinion in Mon- 
roe's cabinet, was appointed in 1821 Gov- 
ernor of the new Territory. Soon after he 
declined the appointment of minister to 
Mexico. 

In 1823 Jackson was elected to the United 
States Senate, and nominated by the Ten- 
nessee Legislature for the Presidenc}-. This 
candidacy, though a matter of surprise, and 
even merryment, speedily became popular, 
and in 1824, when the stormy electoral can- 
vas resulted in the choice of John Ouincy 
Adams by the House of Representatives, 
General Jackson received the largest popu- 
lar vote among the four candidates. 

In 1828 Jackson was triumphantly elected 
President over Adams after a campaign of 
unparalleled bitterness. He was inaugu- 
rated March 4, 1829, and at once removed 
from office all the incumbents belonging to 
the opposite party — a procedure new to 
American politics, but which natural!}' be- 
came a precedent. 

His first term was characterized by quar- 
rels between the Vice-President, Calhoun, 
and the Secretary of State, Van Buren, at- 
tended by a cabinet crisis originating in 
scandals connected with the name of Mrs. 
General Eaton, wife of the Secretaiy of 
Wai"; by the beginning of his war upon the 
United States Bank, and by his vigorous 
action against the partisans of Calhoun, 
who, in South Carolina, threatened to 
nullify the acts of Congress, establishing a 
protective tariff. 

In the Presidential campaign of 1832 



ANDREW JACKSON. 



5« 



Jackson received 219 out of 288 electoral 
votes, his competitor being Mr. Clay, while 
Mr. Wirt, on an Anti-Masonic platform, 
received the vote of Vermont alone. In 
1833 President Jackson removed the Gov- 
ernment deposits from the United States 
bank, thereb}^ incurring a vote of censure 
from the Senate, which was, however, ex- 
punged four years later. During this second 
term of ofifice the Cherokces, Choctawsand 
Creeks vi^ere removed, not without diffi- 
culty, from Georgia, Alabama and Missis- 
sippi, to the Indian Territory; the National 
debt was extinguished; Arkansas and 
Michigan were admitted as States to the 
Unicjn; the Semincjlc war was renewed; the 
anti-slavery agitation first acquired impor- 
tance; the Mormon delusion, whicii had 
organized in 1829. attained considerable 
proportions in Ohio and Missouri, and the 
country experienced its greatest pecuniary 
panic. 

Railroads with locomotive jiropulsion 
were ir'^rodured into America during Jack- 
son's first term, and had become an impor- 
tant clement o( national life before the 
close of his second term. For many rea- 
sons, theretore, the administration of Presi- 
dent Jacks/^n formed an era in American 
history, political, social and industrial. 
He succeeded in effecting the election of 



his friend Van Buren as his successor, re- 
tired from the Presidency March 4, 1837. 
and led a tranquil life at the Hermitage 
until his death, whicii occurred June 8, 
1845. 

During his closing years he was a pro- 
fessed Christian and a member oi the Pres- 
byterian church. No American of this 
century has been the subject of such oppo- 
site judgments. He was loved and hated 
with equal vehemence during his life, but 
at the present distance of time from his 
career, while opinions still vary as to the 
merits of his public acts, few of his country- 
men will question that he was a warm- 
hearted, brave, patriotic, honest and sincere 
man. If liis distinguishing qualities were 
not such as constitute statesmanship, in the 
highest sense, he at least never pretended 
to other merits than such as were written 
to his credit on the page of American his- 
torv — not attempting to disguise the de- 
merits which were equally legible. The 
majority of his countrymen accepted and 
honored him, in spite of all that calumny 
as well as truth could allege against him. 
His faults may therefore be truly said to 
have been those of his time; his magnifi- 
cent virtues may also, with the same jus- 
tice, be considered as typical of a state ol 
society which has nearly passed away. 



52 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 




^^^'yi'iri'iT^'^'.'^'yritfrs^T*!^!?^'^^ 



''(Fr^»*T^r*^i*?^(*Ti'i*¥i'(!^'fl 



v^,^^\ 










:^ 





ARTIN VAN BU- 
REN, the eighth 
Ix?. President of the 
United States, 1837- 
'41, was born at Kin- 
j,:v?'i?:^>^&;- derhook, New York, 
December 5, 1782. 
His ancestors were of Dutch 
origin, and were among the 
earliest emigrants from Hol- 
land to the banks of the 
Hudson. His father was a 
tavern-keeper, as well as a 
farmer, and a very decided 
Democrat. 
Martin commenced the study 
of law at the age of fourteen, and took an 
active part in politics before he had reached 
the age of twenty. In 1803 he commenced 
the practice of law in iiis native village. 
In 1809 he removed to Hudson, the shire 
town of his county, where he spent seven 
years, gaining strength by contending in 
the courts with some of the ablest men 
who have adorned the bar of his State. 
The heroic example of John Quincy Adams 
in retaining in office every faithful man, 
without regard to his political preferences, 
had been thoroughly repudiated by Gen- 
eral Jackson. The unfortunate principle 
was now fully established, that " to the 
victor belong the spoils." Still, this prin- 
ciple, to which Mr. Van Buren gave his ad- 



herence, was not devoid of inconveniences. 
When, subsequently, he attained power 
which placed vast patronage in his hands, 
he was heard to say : " I prefer an office 
that has no patronage. When I give a man 
an office I offend his disappointed competi- 
tors and their friends. Nor am I certain oi 
gaining a friend in the man I appoint, for. 
in all probability, he expected something 
better." 

In 1812 Mr. Van Buren was elected to 
the State Senate. In 1815 he was appointed 
Attorney-General, and in 1816 to the Senate 
a second time. In 1818 there was a great 
split in the Democratic party in New York, 
and Mr. Van Buren took the lead in or- 
ganizing that portion of the party called 
the Albany Regency, which is said to have 
swayed the destinies of the State for a 
quarter of a century. 

In 1821 he was chosen a member of the 
convention for revising the State Constitu- 
tion, in which he advocated an extension of 
the franchise, but ojiposed universal suf- 
frage, and also favored the proposal that 
colored persons, in order to vote, should 
have freehold property to the amount of 
$250. In this year he was also elected to 
the United States Senate, and at the con- 
clusion of his term, in 1827, was re-elected, 
but resigned the following year, having 
been chosen Governor of the State. In 
March, 1829, he was appointed Secretary of 




O 1 2^^^ ^^2.^J ^C^e^^^c^ 



MARTIN VAN BUR EN. 



55 



State by President Jackson, but resigned 
in April, 1831, and during the recess of 
Congress was appointed minister to Eng- 
land, whither he proceeded in September, 
but the Senate, when convened in Decem- 
ber, refused to ratify the appointment. 

In May, 1832, Mr. Van Buren was nomi- 
nated as the Democratic candidate for Vice- 
President, and elected in the following 
November. May 26, 1836, he received the 
nomination to succeed General Jackson as 
President, and received 170 electoral votes, 
out of 283. 

Scarcely had he taken his seat in the 
Presidential chair when a financial panic 
swept over the land. Manv attributed 
this to the war which General Jackson had 
waged on the banks, and to his endeavor to 
secure an almost exclusive specie currency. 
Nearly every bank in the country was com- 
pelled to suspend specie payment, and ruin 
pervaded all our great cities. Not less than 
254 houses failed in New York in one week. 
All public works were brought to a stand, 
and there was a general state of dismay. 
President Van Buren urged the adoption of 
the independent treasury system, which 
was twice passed in the Senate and defeated 
in the House, but finally became a law near 
the close of his rxlminirtration. 

Another important measure was the pass- 
age of a pre-emption law, giving actual set- 
tlers the preference in the purchase of 
public lands. The question of slavery, also, 
now began to assume great prominence in 
national politics, and after an elaborate 
anti-slavery speech by Mr. Slade, of Ver- 
mont, in the House of Representatives, the 
Southern members withdrew for a separate 
consultation, at which Mr. Rhett, of South 
Carolina, proposed to declare it e.Kpedient 
that the Union should be dissolved; but 
the matter was tided over by the passage 
of a resolution that no petitions or papers 
relating to slavery should be in any way 
considered or acted upon. 



In the Presidential election of 1840 Mr. 
Van Buren was nominated, without opposi- 
tion, as the Democratic candidate, William 
H. Harrison being the candidate of the 
Whig party. The Democrats carried only 
seven States, and out of 294 electoral votes 
only sixty were for Mr. Van Buren, the re- 
maining 234 being ior iiis opponent. The 
Whig popular majority, however, was not 
large, the elections in many of the States 
being very close. 

March 4, 1841, Mr. Van Buren retired 
from the Presidency. From his fine estate 
at Lindcnwald he still exerted a powerful 
influence upon the politics of the country. 
In 1844 he was again proposed as the 
Democratic candidate for the Presidenc}', 
and a majority of the delegates of the 
nominating convention were in his favor ; 
but, owing to his opposition to the pro- 
posed annexation of Texas, he could not 
secure the requisite two-thirds vote. His 
name was at length withdrawn by his 
friends, and Mr. Polk received the nomina- 
tion, and was elected. 

In 1848 Mr. Cass was the regular Demo- 
cratic candidate. A schism, however, 
sprang up in the party, ui)()n the question 
of the permission of slavery in the newly- 
acquired territory, and a portion of the 
party, taking the name of " Free-Soilers," 
nominated Mr. Van Buren. They drew 
away sufficient votes to secure the election 
of General Taylor, the Whig candidate. 
After this Mr. Van Buren retired to his es- 
tate at Kinderhook, where the remainder 
of his life was passed, with the exception of 
a European tour in 1853. He died at 
Kinderhook, July 24, 1862, at the age of 
eighty years. 

Martin Van Buren was a great and good 
man, and no one will question his right to 
a high position among those who have 
been the successors of Washington in the 
faidiful occujianc)' of the Presidential 
chair. 



PRESrOEMTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 




iHa#fia?iM W Bh www wmf^?ii«mii?!M^?iM?fi^?a^ ?^ 



^^ XyM ifliiiTiiiniu Tiiiiii\i iiniviviijjjii. 



1 WILLIAM HENRY HftRRISDN. mm 

■ i RH ..>>.ii.,.i.......i..i.i til p nn.-turr Mitt tMiM 1(11=1* 1 i^.'*- 




^1^ 




L I A M HENRY 
HARRISON, the 
ninth President of 
the United States, 
I 841, was born 
February 9, 1773, 
m Charles County, 



€^1 tTt 

Virginia, at Berkeley, the resi- 
dence of his father. Governor 
Benjamin Harrison. He studied 
at Hampden, Sidney College, 
with a view of entering the med- 
ical profession. After graduation 
he went to Philadelphia to study 
medicine under the instruction of 
Dr. Rush. 
George Washington was then President 
jf the United States. The Indians were 
committing fearful ravages on our North- 
western frontier. Young Harrison, either 
lured by the love of adventure, or moved 
by the sufferings of families exposed to the 
most horrible outrages, abandoned his med- 
ical studies and entered the army, having 
obtained a commission of ensign from Pres- 
ident Washington. The first duty assigned 
him was to take a train of pack-horses 
bound to Fort Hamilton, on the Miami 
River, about forty miles from Fort Wash- 
ington. He was soon promoted to the 



rank of Lieutenant, and joined the army 
which Washington had placed under the 
command of General Wayne to prosecute 
more vigorously the war with the In- 
dians. Lieutenant Harrison received great 
commendation from his commanding offi- 
cer, and was promoted to the rank of 
Captain, and placed in command at Fort 
Washington, now Cincmnati, Ohio. 

About this time he married a daughter 
of John Cleves Symmes, one of the fron- 
tiersmen who had established a thriving 
settlement on the bank of the Maumee. 

In 1797 Captain Harrison resigned his 
commission in the army and was appointed 
Secretary of the Northwest Territory, and 
cx-officio Lieutenant-Governor, General St. 
Clair being then Governor of the Territory. 
At that time the law in reference to the 
disposal of the public lands was such that 
no one could purchase in tracts less than 
4,000 acres. Captain Harrison, in the 
face of violent opposition, succeeded In 
obtaining so much of a modification of 
this unjust law that the land was sold in 
alternate tracts of 640 and 320 acres. The 
Northwest Territory »vas then entitled 
to one delegate in Congress, and Cap- 
tain Harrison was chosen to fill that of- 
fice. In 1800 he was appointed Governor 




^^/^, 



C^z-v-^^^^cn^^^ 



WILLIAM HENnr HAlililSON. 



59 



of Indiana Territory and soon after of 
Upper Louisiana. He was also Superin- 
tendent of Indian Affairs, and so well did he 
fulfill these duties that he was four times 
appointed to this office. During his admin- 
istration he effected thirteen treaties with 
the Indians, by which the United States 
acquired 60,000,000 acres of land. In 1804 
he obtained a cession from the Indians of 
all the land between the Illinois River and 
the Mississippi. 

In 1S12 he was made Major-General of 
Kentucky militia and Brigadier-Genera! 
HI the armv, with the command of the 
Northwest frontier. In 181 3 he was made 
Major-General, and as such won much re- 
nown by the defense of Fort Meigs, and the 
battle of the Thames, October 5, 1813. In 
1 8 14 he left the army and was employed in 
Indian affairs by the Government. 

In 1816 General Harrison was chosen a 
member of the National House of Repre- 
sentatives to represent the district of Ohio. 
In the contest which preceded his election 
he was accused of corruption in respect to 
the commissariat of the army. Immedi- 
ately upon taking his seat, he called for an 
investigation of the charge. A committee 
was appointed, and his vindication was 
triumphant. A high compliment was paid 
to iiis patriotism, disinterestedness and 
devotion to the public service. For these 
services a gold medal was presented to him 
with the thanks of Congress. 

In 1 8 19 he was elected to the Senate of 
Ohio, and in 1824, as one of the Presiden- 
tial electors of that State, he gave his vote 
to Henry Clay. In the same year he was 
elected to the Senate of the United States. 
In 1828 he was appointed by President 
Adams minister plenipotentiary to Colom- 
bia, but was recalled by General Jackson 
immediately after the inauguration of the 
latter. 

Upon his return to the United States, 
General Harrison retired to iiis farm at 



North Bend, Hamilton County, Ohio, six- 
teen miles below Cincinnati, where for 
twelve years he was clerk of the County 
Court. He once owned a distillery, but 
perceiving the sad effects of whisky upon 
the surrounding population, he promptl}' 
abandoned his business at great pecuniary 
sacrifice. 

In 1836 General Harrison was brought 
forward as a candidate for the Presidency. 
Van Buren was the administraticjii candi- 
date; the opposite party could not unite, 
and four candidates were brought forward. 
General Harrison received seventy-three 
electoral votes without any general concert 
among his friends. The Democratic parly 
triumphed and Mr. Van Buren was chosen 
President. In 1839 General Harrison was 
again nominated for the Presidency by the 
Whigs, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, .Mr. 
Van Buren being the Democratic candi- 
date. General Harrison received 234 elec- 
toral votes against sixty for his opponent. 
This election is memorable chiefly for the 
then extraordinary means employed during 
the canvass for popular votes. Mass meet- 
ings and processions were introduced, and 
the watchwords "log cabin" and "hard 
cider" were effectually used by the Whigs, 
and aroused a po])ular enthusiasm. 

A vast concourse of people attended his 
inauguration. His addresson that occasion 
was in accordance with hisanteccdents, and 
gavegreat satisfaction. Asliort time after he 
took his seat, he was seized b}' a pleurisy- 
fever, and after a few days of vitjlent sick- 
ness, died April 4, just one short month after 
his inauguration. His death was universally 
regarded as one of the greatest of National 
calamities. Never, since the death of 
Washington, were there, throughout one 
land, such demonstrations cjf sorrow. Not 
one single spot can be found to sully his 
fame; and through all ages Americans will 
pronounce with love and reverence the 
name of William IIenr\ Harrison. 



6o 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 






^l^^^^'Bl^'-'ji^^^^^^ 



ip^a^^^p^^^ 










^■SS.2 



'■X'^&fr 



.<5.^ 



a BTgyj 



^=._w- -^^'-Qj^^ TYLER, the tenth 
President of the United 
States, was born in 
Charles City Count\-, 
Virginia, March 29, 1790. 
His father, Judge John 
Tyler, possessed large 
landed estates in Virginia, 
and was one of the most 
distinguished men of his 
day, filling the offices of 
Speaker of the House of 
Delegates, Judge of the Su- 
ireme Court and Governor 
of the State. 
At the early age of twelve 
young John entered William and Mary 
College, and graduated with honor when 
but seventeen years old. He then closely 
applied himself to the study of law, and at 
nineteen years of age commenced the prac- 
tice of his profession. When only twenty- 
one he was elected to a seat in the State 
Legislature. He acted with the Demo- 
cratic party and advocated the measures of 
Jefferson and Madison. For five years he 
was elected to the Legislature, receiving 
nearly the unanimous vote of his county. 

When but twenty-six years of age he was 
elected a member of Congress. He advo- 
cated a strict construction of the Constitu- 
tion and the most careful vigilance over 




State rights. He was soon compelled to 
resign his seat in Congress, owing to ill 
health, but afterward took his seat in the 
State Legislature, where he exerted a 
powerful influence in promoting public 
works of great utility. 

In 1825 Mr. Tyler was chosen Governor 
of his State — a high honor, for Virginia 
had many able men as competitors for 
the prize. His administration was signally 
a successful one. He urged forward inter- 
nal improvements and strove to remove 
sectional jealousies. His popularity secured 
his re-election. In 1827 he was elected 
United States Senator, and upon taking his 
seat jomed the ranks of the opposition. He 
opposed the tariff, voted against the bank 
as unconstitutional, opposed all restrictions 
upon slavery, resisted all projects of inter- 
nal improvements by the General Govern- 
ment, avowed his sympathy with Mr. Cal- 
houn's views of nullification, and declared 
that General Jackson, by his opposition to 
the nullifiers, had abandoned the piMnciples 
of the Democratic party. Such was Mr. 
Tyler's record in Congress. 

This hostility to Jackson caused Mr. 
Tyler's retirement from the Senate, after 
his election to a second term. He soon 
after removed to Williamsburg for the 
better education of his children, and again 
took his seat in the Legislature. 





vJ O'yiyTl 




■JOHN irLER. 



63 



In 1839 he was sent to the National Con- 
vention at Harrisburg to nominate a Presi- 
dent. General Harrison received a majority 
of votes, much to the disappi^intment of the 
South, who had wished for Henry Clay. 
In order to concihate the Southern Whigs, 
John Tyler was nominated for Vice-Presi- 
dent. Harrison and Tyler were inaugu- 
rated March 4, 1841. In one short month 
from that time President Harrison died, 
and Mr. Tyler, to his own surprise as well 
as tliat of the nation, found himself an 
occupant of the Presidential chair. His 
position was an exceedingly difficult one, 
as he was opposed to the main principles of 
the party which had brought him into 
power. General Harrison had selected a 
Whig cabinet .Should he retain them, and 
thus surround himself with councilors 
whose views were antagonistic tcj his own? 
or should he turn against the party that 
had elected him, and select a cabinet in 
harmony with himself? This was his fear- 
ful dilemma. 

President Tyler deserves more charity 
than he has received. He issued an address 
to the people, which gave general satisfac- 
tion. He retained the cabinet General 
Harrison had selected. His veto of a bill 
chartering a new national bank led to an 
open quarrel with the party which elected 
him, and to a resignation of the entire 
cabinet, except Daniel Webster, Secretary 
of State. 

President Tyler attempted to conciliate. 
He appointed a new cabinet, leaving out all 
strong party men, but the Whig nieinbers 
of Congress were not satisfied, and they 
published a manifesto September 13, break- 
ing oft all political relations. The Demo- 
crats had a tnajority in the House ; the 
Whigs in the Senate. Mr. Webster soon 
found it necessary to resign, being forced 
out by the pressure of his Whig friends. 

April 12, 1844, President Tyler concluded, 
Ihrough Mr. Calhcnm, a treatv for the an- 



nexation of Texas, which was rejected by 
the Senate ; but he effected his object in the 
closing days of his administration by the 
passage of the joint resolution of March i 

1845. 

He was nominated for the Presidency by 
an informal Democratic Convention, held 
at Baltimore in May, 1844, but soon with- 
drew from the canvass, perceiving that he 
had not gained the confidence of the Demo- 
crats at large. 

Mr. Tyler's administration was particu- 
larly unfortunate. No one was satisfied. 
Whiirs antl Democrats alike assailed him. 
Situated as he was, it is more than can 
be expected of human nature that he 
should, in all cases, have acted in the wisest 
manner ; but it will probably be the verdict 
of all candid men, in a careful review of his 
career, that John Tyler was placed in a 
position of such difificidty tliat he could not 
pursue any course whicii would not expose 
him to severe censure and denunciation. 

In 1S13 Mr. Tylei- married Letitia Chris- 
tian, who bore him three sons and three 
daughters, and died in Washington in 1S42. 
Imie 26, 1S44, he contracted a second mar- 
riage with Miss Julia Gardner, of New 
York. He lived in almost complete retire- 
ment from politics imtil February, 1S61, 
when he was a member of the abortive 
" peace convention," held at Washington, 
and was chosen its President. Soon after 
he renounced his allegiance to the United 
States and was elected to the Confederate 
Congress. He died at Richmond, January 
17, 1862, after a short illness. 

Unfortunately for his memor)- the name 
of John Tyler must forever be associated 
with all the misery of that terrible Re- 
bellion, whose cause he openly espoused. 
It is with sorrow that history records that 
a President of the United States died while 
defending the Hag of rebellion, which was 
arrayed against tlic naticjual banner in 
deadly warfare. 



PHESIDENJS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



^{V5^ir. t,^ -.;.— iju -r- t43 -I- t4^ ■r-"(£)S]c«2'_''-sr^jaii) -I- ^ 'V *" -r- <k!9 -I- t^ "Oil - 




AMES KNOX POLK, 
the eleventh President of 
ij^ the United States, 1845- 
"49, was born in Meck- 
lenburg County, North 
Carolina, November 2, 
1795. He was the eldest 
son of a family of six sons 
and four daughters, and was 
a grand-nephew of Colonel 
Thomas Polk, celebrated in 
connection with the Meck- 
lenburg Declaration of In- 
dependence. 

In 1806 his father, Samuel 
Polk, emigrated with his fam- 
ily two or tliree hundred miles west to the 
valley of the Duck River. He was a sur- 
veyor as well as farmer, and gradually in- 
creased in wealth until he became one of 
the leading men of the region. 

In the common schools James rapidly be- 
came proficient in all the common branches 
of an English education. In 181 3 he was 
sent to Murfreesboro Academy, and in the 
autumn of 1815 entered the sophomore class 
in the University of North Carolina, at 
Chapel Hill, graduating in 1818. After a 
short season of recreation he went to Nasn- 
ville and entered the law ofifice of Felix 
Grundy. As soon as he had his finished 



legal studies and been admitted to the bar, 
he returned to Columbia, the shire town of 
Maury County, and opened an office. 

James K. Polk ever adhered to the polit- 
ical faith of his father, which was that of 
a Jeffersonian Republican. In 1823 he was 
elected to the Legislature of Tennessee. As 
a "strict constructionist," he did not think 
that the Constitution empowered the Gen- 
eral Government to carry on a system of 
internal improvements in the States, but 
deemed it important that it should have 
that power, and wished the Constitution 
amended that it might be conferred. Sub- 
sequently, however, he became alarmed lest 
the General Government become so strong- 
as to undertake to interfere with slavery. 
He therefore gave all his influence to 
strengthen the State governments, and to 
check the growth of the central power. 

In Januar}-, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss 
Mary Childress, of Rutherford County, Ten- 
nessee. Had some one then whispered to 
him that he was destined to become Presi- 
dent of the United States, and that he must 
select for his companion one who would 
adorn that distinguished station, he could 
not have made a more fitting choice. She 
was truly a lady of rare beauty and cultui^e. 

In the fall of 1825 Mr. Polk was chosen 
a member of Congress, and was continu- 




:^.^ 



<^- 



F 



-^ 'DC 



'JC^ 



ri^= 



•y.l \//iS A'. POLK. 



67 



ously re-elected until 1839. He then with- 
drew, only that he might accept the 
gubernatorial chair of his native State. 
He was a warm friend of General Jackson, 
who had been defeated in the electoral 
contest by John Quincy Adams. This 
latter gentleman had just taken his seat in 
the Presidential chair when Mr. Polk took 
his seat in tiie House of Representatives. 
He immediately united himself with the 
opponents of I^Ir. Adams, and was soon 
regarded as the leader of the Jackson party 
in the House. 

The four years of Mr. Adams' adminis- 
tration passed away, and General Jackson 
took tne Presidential chair. Mr. Polk had 
now become a man of great influence in 
Congress, ana was chairman of its most 
important committee — that of Wa^'S and 
Means. Eloquentl)' he sustained General 
Jackson in all his measures — in his hostility 
to internal improvements, to the banks, and 
to the tariff. Eight years of General Jack- 
son's administration passed away, and the 
powers he had wielded passed into the 
hands of Martin Van Buren ; and still Mr. 
Polk remained in the House, the advocate 
of that type cjf Democracy which those 
distinguished men upheld. 

During five sessions of Congress Mr. 
Polk was s()eaker of the House. He per- 
formed his arduous duties to general satis- 
faction, and a unanimous vote of thanks to 
hnn was [lassed by the House as he with- 
drew, March 4, 1839. He was elected 
Governor by a large majorit_y, and took 
the oath of office at Nashville, October 14, 
1839. He was a candidate for re-election 
in 1 841, but was defeated. In the mean- 
time a wonderful revolution had swept 
over the countrv. W. H. Harrison, the Whig 
candidate, had been called to the Presiden- 
tial chair, and in Tennessee the Whig ticket 
had been carried by over 12,000 majority. 
Under these circumstances Mr. Polk's suc- 
cess was hopeless. Still he canvassed the 



State with his Whig competitor, Mr. Jones, 
traveling in the most friendly manner to- 
gether, often in the same carriage, and at 
one time sleeping in the same bed. Mr. 
Jones was elected by 3.000 majority. 

And now the question of the aimcxatic^i 
of Texas to our country agitated the whole 
land. When this question became national 
Mr. P<jlk, as the av<jwed champion of an- 
nexation, became the Presidential candidate 
of the pro-slavery \ving of the Democratic 
party, and George M. Dallas their candi- 
date for the Vice-Presidency. They were 
elected by a large majority, and were in- 
augurated March 4, 1845. 

President Polk formed an able cabinet, 
consisting of James Buchanan, Robert J. 
Walker, William L. Marcy, George Ban 
croft. Cave Johnson and John Y. Mas(jn. 
The Oregon boundary' question was settled, 
the Department of the Interior was created, 
the low tariff of 1846 was carried, the 
financial system of the Government was 
reorganized, the Mexican war was con- 
ducted, which resulted in the accjuisition of 
California and New Mexico, and had far- 
reaching consequences upon the later fort- 
unes of the republic. Peace was made. 
We had wrested from Mexico territory 
equal to four times the empire of France, 
and five times that of Spain. In the prose- 
cution of this war we expentled 20,000 
lives and mcjre than $100,000,000. Of this 
money $15,000,000 were paid to Mexico. 

Declining to seek a renomination, Mr. 
Polk retired from the Presidency March 4, 
1849, when he was succeeded by General 
Zachary Taylor. He retired to Nashville, 
and died there June 19, 1849, i" the fifty- 
fourth year of his age. His funeral was at- 
tended the following dav, in Nashville, with 
every demonstration of respect. He left 
no children. Without being possessed of 
extraordinary talent, Mr. Polk was a capable 
administrator of public affairs, and irre- 
proachable in private life. 



ZACHA R r TA TL OR. 



7i 



country. He served through the Black 
Hawk war in 1832. and in 1837 was ordered 
to take command in Florida, then the scene 
of war with the Indians. 

In 1846 he was transferred to the com- 
mand of the Army of the Sou tii west, from 
which he was reheved the same year at his 
own request. Subsequently he was sta- 
tioned on the Arkansas frontier at Forts 
Gibbon, Smith and Jesup, which latter work 
had been built under his direction in 1822. 

May 28, 1845, he received a dispatch from 
the Secretary of War informing him of the 
receipt of information by the President 
"that Texas would shortly accede to the 
terms of annexation," in which event he 
was instructed to defend and protect her 
from "foreign invasion and Indian incur- 
sions." He proceeded, upon the annexation 
of Texas, with about 1,500 men to Corpus 
Christi, where his force was increased to 
some 4,000. 

Taylor was brevetted Major-General May 
28, and a month later, June 29, 1S46, his full 
commission to that grade was issued. After 
needed rest and reinforcement, he advanced 
in September on Monterey, which city ca- 
pitulated after three-days stubborn resist- 
ance. Here he took up his winter quarters. 
The plan tor the invasion of Mexico, by 
way of Vera Cruz, with General Scott in 
command, was now determined upon by 
the Govenrment, and at the moment Taylor 
was about to resume active operations, he 
received orders to send the larger part of 
his force to reinforce the army of General 
Scott at Vera Cruz. Though subsequently 
reinforced b) raw recruits, yet after pro- 
viding a garrison for Monterey and Saltillo 
he had but about 5,300 effective troops, of 
which but 500 or 600 were regulars. In 
this weakened condition, however, he was 
destined to achieve his greatest victory. 
Confidently relying upon his strength at 
Vera Cruz to resist the enemy for a long 
time, banta Anna directed his entire army 



against Taylor to overwhelm him, and then 
to return to oppose the advance of Scott's 
more formidable invasion. The battle of 
Buena Vista was fought February 22 and 
23, 1847. Taylor received the thanks of 
Congress and a gold medal, and " Old 
Rough and Ready," the sobriquet given 
him in the army, became a household word. 
He remained in quiet possession of the 
Rio Grande Valley until November, when 
he returned to the United States. 

In the Whig convention which met at 
Philadelphia,June 7, 1848, Taylor was nomi- 
nated on the fourth ballot as candidate ji 
the Whig party for President, over Henry 
Clay, General Scott and Daniel Webster. 
In November Taylor received a majority 
of electoral votes, and a popular vote of 
1,360,752, against 1,219,962 fen- Cass and 
Butler, and 291,342 for Van Buren and 
Adams. General Ta3lor was inaugurated 
March 4, 1849. 

The free and slave States being then equal 
in number, the struggle for supremacy on 
the part of the leaders in Congress was 
violent and bitter. In the summer of 1849 
California adopted in convention a Consti- 
tution prohibiting slavery within its borders. 
Taylor advocated the immediate admission 
of California with her Constitution, and the 
postponement of the question as to the other 
Territories until they could hold conven- 
tions and decide for themselves whether 
slavery should exist within their borders. 
This policy ultimately prevailed through 
the celebrated " Compromise Measures" of 
Henry Clay ; but not during the life of the 
brave soldier and patriot statesman. July 
5 he was taken suddenly ill with a bilious 
fever, whicli proved fatal, his death occur- 
ring July 9, 1850. One of his daughters 
married Colonel W. W. S. Bliss, his Adju- 
tant-General and Chief of Staff in Morida 
and Mexico, and Private Secretary during 
his Presidenc3\ Another daughter was 
married to Jefferson Davis. 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 












""iLLARD FILL- 
iMORE, the thir- 
i teenth President 
of the United 
States, i85o-'3, was 
born in Summer 
Hill, Cayuga 
County, New York, Janu- 
ary 7, 1800. He was of 
New England ancestry, and 
his educational advantages 
were limited. He early 
learned the clothiers' trade, 
but spent all his leisure time 
in study. At nineteen years 
of age he was induced by 
Judge Walter Wood to abandon his trade 
and commence the study of law. Upon 
learning that the young man was entirely 
destitute of means, he took him into his 
own office and loaned him such money as 
he needed. That he might not be heavily 
burdened with debt, young Fillmore taught 
school during the winter months, and in 
various other ways helped himself along. 
At the age of twenty-three he was ad- 
mitted to the Court of Common Pleas, and 
commenced the practice of his profession 
in the village of Aurora, situated on the 




eastern bank of the Cayuga Lake. In 1825 
he married Miss Abigail Powers, daughter 
of Rev. Lemuel Powers, a lady of great 
moral worth. In 1835 he took his seat in 
the House of Assembly of his native State, 
as Representative from Erie County, 
whither he had recently moved. 

Though he had never taken a very 
active part in politics his vote and his sym- 
pathies were with the Whig party. The 
State was then Democratic, but his cour- 
tesy, ability and integrity won the respect 
of his associates. In 1832 he was elected 
to a seat in the United States Congress. 
^Vt the close of his tenn he returned to his 
law practice, and in two years more he was 
again elected to Congress. 

He now began to have a national reputa- 
tion. His labors were very arduous. To 
draft resolutions in the committee room, 
and then to defend them against the most 
skillful opponents on the floor of the House 
requires readiness of mind, mental resources 
and skill in debate such as few possess. 
Weary witli these exhausting labors, and 
pressed by the claims of his private affairs, 
Mr. Fillmore wrote a letter to his constitu- 
ents and declined to be a candidate for re- 
election. Notwithstanding this cemmuni- 





^_XA^t^Xj J^^C^ui^<^^(rhc> 



MILLARD FILLMORE. 



75 



cation his friends met in convention and 
renominated him by acclamation. Though 
gratified by this proof of their appreciation 
of his labors he adhered to his resolve and 
returned to his home. 

In 1847 Ml"- Fillmore was elected to the 
important office of comptroller of the State. 
In entering upon the very responsible duties 
which this situation demanded, it was nec- 
essary for him to abandon his profession, 
and he removed to the city of Albany. In 
this year, also, the Whigs were looking 
around to find suitable candidates for the 
President and Vice-President at the ap- 
proaching election, and the names of Zach- 
ary Taylor and Millard Fillmore became 
the rallying cry of the Whigs. On the 4th 
of March, 1S49, General Taylor was inaug- 
urated President and Millard Fillmore 
Vice-President of the United States. 

The great question of slavery had as- 
sumed enormous proportions, and perme- 
ated every subject that was brought before 
Congress. It was evident that the strength 
of our institutions was to be severel)' tried. 
July 9, 1850, President Taylor died, and, by 
the Constitution, Vice-President Fillmore 
became President of the United States. 
The agitated condition of the country 
brought questions of great delicacy before 
him. He was bound by his oath of office 
to execute the laws of the United States. 
One of these laws was understood to be, 
that if a slave, escaping from bondage, 
should reach a free State, the United States 
was bound to do its utmost to capture him 
and return him to his master. Most Chris 
tian men loathed this law. President Fill- 
more felt bound by his oath rigidly to see 
it enforced. Slavery was organizing armies 
to invade Cuba as it had invaded Texas, 
and annex it to the United States. Presi- 
dent Fillmore gave all the influence of his 
exalted station against the atrocious enter- 
prise. 

Mr. Fillmore had serious difficulties to 



contend with, since the opposition had a 
majority in both Houses. He did every- 
thing in his power to conciliate the South, 
but the pro-slavery party in that section 
felt the inadequency of all measures of tran- 
sient conciliation. The population of the 
free States was so rapidly increasing over 
that of the slave States, that it was inevita- 
ble that the power of the Government 
should soon pass into the hands of the free 
States. The famous compromise measures 
were adopted under Mr. Fillmore's admin- 
istration, and the Japan expedition was 
sent out. 

March 4, 1853, iiaving served one term. 
President Fillmore retired from office. He 
then took a long tour through the South, 
where he met with quite an enthusiastic 
reception. In a speech at Vicksburg, al- 
luding to the rapid growth of the country, 
he said: 

" Canada is knocking for admission, and 
Mexico would be glad to come in, and 
without saying whether it would be right 
or wrong, we stand with open arms to re- 
ceive them; for it is the manifest destiny of 
this Government to embrace the whole 
North American Continent." 

In 1855 Mr. Fillmore went to Europe 
where he was received with those marked 
attentions which his position and character 
merited. Returning to this country in 
1856 he was nominated for the Presidency 
by the "Know-Nothing" party. Mr. Bu- 
chanan, the Democratic candidate was 
the successful competitor. Mr. Fillmore 
ever afterward lived in retirement. Dur- 
ing the conflict of civil war he was mostly 
silent. It was generally supposed, how- 
ever, that his sympathy was with the South- 
ern Confederacy. He kept aloof from the 
conflict without any words of cheer to the 
one party or the other. For this reason 
he was forgotten by both. He died of 
jiaralysis, in Buffalo, New York, March 8, 
1874. 



76 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UN/TED STATES. 



m-'^k^^^-i^^^i^l^^^^l^^^^^^l^^^^lS?^j^-^£T} 



3i 



e^V-i 



"A 



♦«^itf-» 









lftSHHHHHSHHHHHHHH£H2EHHEHE:H3H2H5Ha2EHHHHHHHSB52H2i!HH^a 





»^. 



I^RANKLIN PIERCE, 
the fourteenth Presi- 
dent of the United 
States, was born in 
Hillsborough, New 
Hampshire, Novem- 
ber 23, 1804. His 
father. Governor 
Benjamin Pierce, was a Rev- 
olutionary soldier, a man of 
rigid integrity ; was for sev- 
eral years in the State Legis- 
lature, a member of the Gov- 
ernor's council and a General 
of the militia. 
Franklin was the sixth of eight children. 
As a boy he listened eagerly to the argu- 
ments of his father, enforced by strong and 
ready utterance and earnest gesture. It 
was in the days of intense political excite- 
ment, when, all over the New England 
States, Federalists and Democrats were ar- 
rayed so fiercely against each other. 

In 1820 he entered Bowdoin College, at 
Brunswick, Maine, and graduated in 1824, 
and commenced the study of law in tiie 
office of Judge Woodbury, a very distin- 
guished lawyer, and in 1827 was admitted 
to the bar. He practiced with great success 
in Hillsborough and Concord. He served 



in the State Legislature four years, the last 
two of which he was chosen Speaker of the 
House by a very large vote. 

In 1833 he was elected a member of Con- 
gress. In 1837 he was elected to the United 
States Senate, just as Mr. Van Buren com- 
menced his administration. 

In 1834 he married Miss Jane Means 
Appleton, a lady admirably fitted to adorn 
ever}' station with which her husband was 
honored. Three sons born to them all 
found an early grave. 

Upon his accession to office, President 
Polk appointed Mr. Pierce Attorney-Gen- 
eral of the United States, but the offer was 
declined in consequence of numerous pro- 
fessional engagements at home and the 
precarious state of Mrs. Pierce's health. 
About the same time he also declined the 
nomination for Governor by the Demo- 
cratic party. 

The war with Mexico called Mr. Pierce 
into the army. Receiving the appointment 
of Brigadier-General, he embarked with a 
portion of his troops at Newport, Rhode 
Island, May 27, 1847. He served during 
this war, and distinguished himself by his 
bravery, skill and excellent judgment. 
When he reached his home in his native 
State he was enthusiasticall}' received by 




e^i^ 



PliANKLlN PTEIiCE. 



the advocates uf the war, and coldly 1)\' its 
opponents. He resumed the practice of ids 
profession, frequently taking an active ])art 
in political questions, and giving his sup- 
port to the pro-slavery wing of the Demo- 
cratic party. 

June 12, 185.;, the Democratic convention 
met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate 
for the Presidency. For four days they 
continued in session, and in thirty-five bal- 
lotings no one had received the recpiisite 
two-thirds vote. Not a vote had been 
thrown thus far for General Pierce. Then 
the Virginia delegation brought forward 
his name. There were fourteen more bal- 
lotings, during which General Pierce 
gained strength, until, at the forty-ninth 
ballot, he received 282 votes, and all other 
candidates eleven. General Winfield Scott 
was the Whig candidate. General Pierce 
was elected with great luianimity. Only 
four States — Venuont, Massachusetts, Ken- 
tucky and Tennessee — cast their electoral 
votes against him. March 4, 1853, he was 
inaugurated President of the United States, 
and William R. King, Vice-President. 

President Pierce's cabinet consisted of 
William S. Marcy, James Guthrie, Jefferson 
Davis, James C. Dobbin, Robert McClel- 
land, James Cam[)bell and Caleb Cushing. 

At the demand of slaver}- the Missouri 
Compromise was re])ealed, and all the Ter- 
ritories of the Union were thrown open tn 
slavery. The Territory of Kansas, west of 
Missouri, was settled by emigrants mainly 
from the North. According to law, they 
were about to meet and decide whether 
slavery or freedom should be the law of 
that realm. Slaver\- in Missouri and 
other Southern States rallied her armed 
legions, marched theiu into Kan.sas, took 
possession of the [lolls. drove away the 
citizens, deposited their own votes b}' 
handluls, went through the farce of count- 
ing them, and then declared that, by an 
overwhelming Tnajority, slavery was estab- 



lished in Kansas. These f;icts nobody 
denied, and yet F'resident Pierce's adminis- 
tration felt bound to respect the decision 
obtained by such votes. Tin- citizens of 
Kansas, the majority of whom were free- 
State men, met in convention and adopted 
the following resolve : 

"Rcsok'cd, That the b(xly of men wiio, 
for the past two months, have lieen passing 
laws fcir the people of our Territory, 
moved, counseled and dictated to by the 
demagogues of other States, are to us a 
foreign body, representing only the lawless 
invaders who eleelt'd them, and not thic 
people of this Territory ; that we repudiate 
their action as the monstrous consununation 
of an act of violence, usurpation and fraud 
unparalleled in the histor}' of the Union." 

The free-State people of Kansas also sent 
a petition to the General Goveriuuent. im- 
ploring its pi"otection. In reply the Presi- 
dent issued a proclamation, declaring that 
Legislature thus created must be recog- 
nized as the legitimate Legislature of Kan- 
sas, and that its laws were binding upon 
the people, and that, if necessary, the wiiole 
force of the Governmental arm would be 
put forth to inforce those laws. 

James Buchanan succeeded him in the 
Presidency, and, March 4, 1857, President 
Pierce retired to his home in Concord, 
New Hampshire. When the Rebellion 
burst forth Mr. Pierce remained steadfast 
to the principles he had always cherished, 
and gave his symi)athies to the pro-slavcrj' 
party, with which he had ever been allied. 
He declined to do anything, either by 
voice or pen, to strengthen the hands of 
the National Goveriuuent. He resided in 
Concord imtil his death, which occurred in 
October, 1869. \\v. was one of the most 
genial and social of men, generous to 
a fault, and contributed liberally of his 
moderate means for the alleviation of suf- 
fering and want. He was an lu)nored 
communicant of the Episcopal ihurch. 



So 



PliESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 




^i^i 



';7fi^~.'^f-;?b»5?hf,'r*if2Virv>!' 



^^i*^(*T^(T^(T^(*55'i'^^(*t?'r=^^ii: 



K EERSSI^ESigKgrKBJl^EBP^EEgBEprEErSB E M 



Qt 



.B0^1?5 



felH; 



im«M^T^f.:'^v,: e^r 



ES?g3;gEgE^::k^>iJXF^^• V NV-V-V^^rrErEEESI-EggESSaSSiTEESBESgga 



MEJ 



^(p^ 



l.'Ui'l''ti'l'-ii^llit'l'S,t'CXl'lS^:^(l 



\(fi]^^;ii*uf^titx^:;>^if>^&i^lj^)^ 



'"^^ 





ii^-^AMES BUCHANAN, the 
fifteenth President of the 
■ ^^1^ United States, 1857-61, 
was born in FrankHn 
i v. Count y, Pennsj'lvania, 
;;^f April '23, 1791. The 
place where his father's 
c a b i n stood was called 
Stony Batter, and it was 
situated in a wild, romantic 
spot, in a gorge of mount- 
ains, with towering sum- 
mits rising all around. He 
was of Irish ancestry, his 
father having emigrated in- 
1783, with ver}' little prop- 
erty, save his own strong arms. 

James remained in his secluded home for 
eight years enjoying very few social or 
intellectual advantages. His parents were 
industrious, frugal, prosperous and intelli- 
gent. In 1799 his father removed to Mer- 
cersburg, where James was placed in 
school and commenced a course in English, 
Greek and Latin. His progress was rapid 
and in 1801 he entered Dickinson College 
at Carlisle. Here he took his stand among 
the first scholars in the institution, and was 
able to master the most abstruse subjects 
with facility. In 1809 he graduated with 
the highest honors in his class. 

He was then eighteen years of age, tall, 



graceful and in vigorous health, fond of 
athletic sports, an unerring shot and en- 
livened with an exuberant flow of animal 
spirits. He immediately commenced the 
study of law in the city of Lancaster, and 
was admitted to the bar in 1812. He rose 
very rapidly in his profession and at once 
took undisputed stand with the ablest law- 
yers of the State. When but twenty-six 
years of age, unaided by counsel, he suc- 
cessfully defended before the State Senate 
one of the Judges of the State, who was 
tried upon articles of impeachment. At 
the age of thirty it was generally admitted 
that he stood at the head of the bar, and 
there was no lawyer in the State who hail 
a more extensive or lucrative practice. 

In 1812, just after Mr. Buchanan iiad 
entered upon the practice of the law, our 
second war with England occurred. With 
all his powers he sustained the Govern- 
ment, eloquently urging the rigorous pros- 
ecution of the war; and even enlisting as a 
private soldier to assist in repelling the 
British, who had sacked Washington and 
were thi-eatening Baltimore. He was at 
that time a Federalist, but when the Con- 
stitution was adopted by both parties, 
Jefferson truly said, " We are all Federal- 
ists; we are all Republicans." 

The opposition of the Federalists to the 
war with England, and the alien and sedi- 





<2^//Zir^ (^-^ ^^ C yf^ y-<L.^ ^7^ 



yjA/ES BUCHANAN. 



03 



tidii laws of John Adams, brouglit the party 
into dispute, and the name of Federalist 
became a reproach. Mr. Buchanan almost 
immediately upon entering Congress began 
to incline more and more to the Repub- 
licans. In the stormy Presidential election 
of 1824, in which Jackson, Clay, Crawford 
and John Quincy Adams were candidates, 
Mr. Buchanan espoused the cause of Gen- 
eral Jackson and unrelentingly opposed the 
administration of Mr. Adams. 

Upon his elevation to the Presidency, 
General Jackson appointetl Mr. Buchanan, 
minister to Russia. Upon his return in 1833 
he was elected to a seat in the United States 
Senate. He there met as his associates, 
Webster, Clay, Wright and Calhoun. He 
advocated the measures proposed by Presi- 
dent Jackson of making reprisals against 
France, and defended the course of the Pres- 
ident in his unprecedented and wholesale 
removals from office of those who were not 
the supporters of his administration. Upon 
this question he was brought into direct col- 
lision with Henry Clay. In the discussion 
of the question respecting the admission of 
Michigan and Arkansas into the Union, Mr. 
Buchanan defined his position by saying: 

" The older I grow, the more I am in- 
clined to be what is called a State-rights 
man." 

M. de Tocqueville, in his renowned work 
upon *' Democracy in America," foresaw 
the trouble which was inevitable from the 
doctrine of State sovereignty as held by 
Calhoun and Buchanan. He was con- 
vinced that the National Government was 
losing that strength which was essential 
to its own existence, and that the States 
were assuming powers which threatened 
the perpetuity of the Union. Mr. Buchanan 
received the book in the Senate and de- 
clared the fears of De Tocqueville to be 
groundless, and yet he lived to sit in the 
Presidential chair and see State after State, 
in accordance with his own views of State 



rights, breaking from the Union, thus 
crumbling our Republic into ruins; while 
the unhappy old man folded his arms in 
despair, declaring that the National Consti- 
tution invested him with no power to arrest 
the destruction. 

Upon Mr. Polk's accession to the Presi- 
dency, Mr. Buchanan became Secretary of 
State, and as such took his share of the 
responsibility in the conduct of the Mexi- 
can war. At the close of Mr. Polk's ad- 
ministration, Mr. Buchanan retired to pri- 
vate life; but his intelligence, and his great 
ability as a statesman, enabled him to exert 
a powerful influence in National affairs. 

Mr. Pierce, upon his election to the 
Presidency, honored Mr. Buchanan with 
the mission to England. In the year 1856 
the National Democratic convention nomi- 
nated Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency. 
The political conflict was one of the most 
severe in which our country has ever en- 
gaged. On the 4th of March, 1857, Mr. 
Buchanan was inaugurated President. His 
cabinet were Lewis Cass, Howell Cobb, 
J. B. Floyd, Isaac Toucey, Jacob Thomp- 
son, A. V. Brown and J. S. Black. 

The disruption of the Democratic party, 
in consequence of the maimer in which the 
issue of the nationality of slaver}' was 
pressed by the Southern wing, occurred at 
the National conventicjn, held at Charleston 
in April, i860, for the nomination of Mr. 
Buchanan's successor, when the majority 
of Southern delegates withdrew upon the 
passage of a resolution declaring that the 
constitutional status of slavery should be 
determined by the Supreme Court. 

In the next Presidential canvass Abra- 
ham Lincoln was nominated by the oppo- 
nents of Mr. Buchanan's administration. 
Mr. Buchanan remained in Washington 
long enough to see his success(ir installed 
and then retired to his home in Wheatland. 
He died June i, 1868, aged seventy-seven 
years. 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



^1- ^ •I' 



^--j4^@El'^-;^.i?^'^J5@ ■^ ^ ^U e^ _!j-_ gjja -I- ^ »l> )IS^3 










*" -I-- 



■-7- jjp .J. - 



■""^''i^Sii 



#^ 




BRAHAM LIN- 
COLN, the sixteenth 
President of the 
United States, i86i-'5, 
was born February 
''(^.:irTr^p:f^ 12, 1809, in Larue 




(tlien Hardin) County, 
Kentucky, in a cabin on Nolan 
Creek, three miles west of 
Hudgensville. His parents 
I were Thomas and Nancy 
(Hanks) Lincoln. Of his an- 
cestry and early years the little 
that is known may best be 
given in his own language : " My 
parents were both born in Virginia, of un- 
distinguished families — second families, per- 
haps 1 should say. My mother, who died 
in my tenth year, was of a family of the 
name of Hanks, some of whom now remain 
in Adams, and others in Macon County, 
Illinois. My paterna' grandfather, Abra- 
ham Lincoln, emigrated from Rockbridge 
County, Virginia, to Kentucky in 1781 or 
1782, where, a year or two later, he was 
killed by Indians — not in battle, but by 
stealth, when he was laboring to open a 
farm in the forest. His ancestors, who were 
Quakers, went to Virginia from Berks 
County, Pennsylvania. An effort to iden- 



tify them with the New England family of 
the same name ended in nothing more defi- 
nite than a similarity of Christian names in 
both families, such as Enoch, Levi, Mor- 
decai, Solomon, Abraham and the like. 
My father, at the death of his father, was 
but six years of age, and he grew up, liter- 
all)-, without education. He removed from 
Kentuck}' to what is now Spencer County, 
Indiana, in my eighth year. We reached 
our new home about the time the State came 
into the Union. It was a wild region, with 
bears and other wild animals stil! in the 
woods. There I grew to manhood. 

" There were some schools, so called, but 
no qualification was ever required of a 
teacher beyond ' readin', writin', and cipher- 
in' to the rule of three.' If a straggler, sup- 
posed to imderstand Latin, happened to 
sojourn in the neighborhood, he was looked 
u[ion as a wizard. There was absolutely 
nothing to excite ambition for education. 
01 course, when I came of age I did not 
know much. Still, somehow, 1 could read, 
write and cipher to the rule of llnec, and 
that was all. I have not been to school 
since. The little advance I now have upon 
this store of education I have picked up 
from time to time imder the pressure of 
necessity. I was raised to farm-work, which 




cO^ 



f^*-r e-o_- 



Gi..,--'V'^2^-'T^-i,'Cc.'-Z^^ 



jiBRAHAM LINCOLN. 



87 



I continued till 1 was twenty-two. At 
twenty-one I came to Illinois and passed 
the first year in Macon County. Then 1 got 
to New Salem, at that time in Sangamon, 
now in Menard County, where I remained 
a year as a sort of clerk in a store. 

" Then came the Black Hawk war, and I 
was elected a Captain of volunteers — a suc- 
cess which gave me more pleasure than any 
I have had since. I went the campaign, 
was elated ; ran for the Legislature the 
same year (183J) and was beaten, the only 
time I have ever been beaten by the people. 
The next and three succeeding biennial 
elections I was elected to the Legislature, 
and was never a candidate afterward. 

" During this legislative period I had 
studied law, and removed to Springfield to 
[iiactice it. In 1846 I was elected to the 
Lower House of Congress; was not a can- 
didate for re-election. From 1849 to '854- 
inclusive, I practiced the law more assid- 
uously than ever before. Ahva^s a Whig 
m ]iolitics, and generally on the Whig elec- 
toral tickets, making active canvasses, I was 
losing interest in politics, when the repeal 
of the Missouri Compromise roused me 
again. What I have done since is prett}- 
well known." 

The early residence of Lincoln in Indi- 
ana was sixteen miles north of the Ohicj 
River, on Little Pigeon Creek, one and a 
half miles east of Gentryville, within the 
present township of Carter. Here his 
mother died October 5, 1818, and the next 
year his father married Mrs. Sally (Bush) 
Johnston, of Elizabethtown, Kentuck3\ She 
was an affectionate foster-parent, to whom 
Abraham was indebted for his first encour- 
agement to study. He became an eager 
reader, and the few books owned in the 
vicinity were many times perused. He 
worked frequently for the neighbors as a 
farm laborer; was for some time clerk in a 
store at Gentryville; and became faiuous 
throusfhout that region for his athletic 



powers, his fondness for argument, his in- 
exhaustible fund of humerous anecdote, as 
well as for mock oratory and the coinposi 
tion of rude satirical verses. In 1S28 he 
made a trading voyage to New Orleans as 
"bow-hand" on a flatboat; removed to 
Illinois in 1830; heljjcd his father buikl a 
log house and clear a farm on the north 
fork of Sangamon River, ten miles west of 
Decatur, and was for some time employed 
in splitting rails for the fences — a fact which 
was prominently brought forward for a 
political purpose thirty years later. 

In the spring of 185 1 he, with two of his 
relatives, was hired to build a flatboat on 
the Sangamon River and navigate it t(? 
New Orleans. The boat "stuck" on a 
mill-dam, and was got off with great labor 
through an ingenious mechanical device 
which some years later led to Lincoln's 
taking out a patent for "an improved 
method for lifting vessels over shoals." 
This voyage was memorable for another 
reason — the sight of slaves chained, mal- 
treated and flogged at New Orleans was 
the origin of his deep convictions ujion the 
slavery question. 

Returning from this voyage he became a 
resident for several yeai"s at New Salem, a 
recently settled village on the Sangamon, 
where he was successively a clerk, grocer, 
surve3'or and postmaster, am! aeterl as pilot 
to the first steamboat that ascended the 
Sangamon. Here he studied law, inter- 
ested himself in local ])olitics after his 
return from the Black liawk war, and 
became known as an elfective "stump 
speaker." The subject ol his fii'st political 
S])ccch was the improvement of the channel 
of the Sangamon, and the chief ground on 
which he announced himself (1832) a candi- 
date for the Legislalun' was his ach'ocacy 
of this popular measure, on which subject 
his practical experience made him the high- 
est authority. 

Elected to the Legislature in 1834 as a 



88 



P/IES/DE\TS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



" Henry Clay Whig," he rapidly acquired 
that command of language and that homely 
but forcible rhetoric which, added to his 
intimate knowledge of the people from 
which he sprang, made him more than a 
match in debate for his few well-educated 
opponents. 

Admitted to the bar in 1837 ^^^ soon 
established himself at Springfield, where 
the State capital was located in 1839, 
iargely through his influence; became a 
successful pleader in the State, Circuit and 
District Courts ; married in 1842 a lady be- 
longing to a prominent family in Lexington, 
Kentucky; took an active part in the Pres- 
idential campaigns of 1840 and 1844 as 
candidate for elector on the Harrison and 
Clay tickets, and in 1846 was elected to the 
United States House of Representatives 
over the celebrated Peter Cartwright. 
During his single term in Congress he did 
not attain any prominence. 

He voted for the reception of anti-slavery 
petitions for the abolition of the slave trade 
in the District of Columbia and for the 
Wilmot proviso; but was chiefly remem- 
bered for the stand he took against the 
Mexican war. For several years there- 
after he took comparatively little interest 
in politics, but gained a leading position at 
the Springfield bar. Two or three non- 
political lectures and an eulogy on Henry 
Clay (1852) added nothing to his reputation. 

In 1854 the repeal of the Missouri 
Compromise by the Kansas-Nebraska act 
aroused Lincoln from his indifference, and 
in attacking that measure he had the im- 
mense advantage of knowing perfectly well 
the motives and the record of its author, 
Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois, then popu- 
larly designated as the " Little Giant." The 
latter came to Springfield in October, 1S54, 
on the occasion of the State Fair, to vindi- 
cate his policy in the Senate, and the " Anti- 
Ncbrnska" Whigs, remembering that Lin- 
coin had often measured his strength with 



Douglas in the Illinois Legislature and be- 
fore the Springfield Courts, engaged hira 
to improvise a reply. This speech, in the 
opinion of those who heard it, was one of 
the greatest efforts of Lincoln's life ; cer- 
tainly the most effective in his whole career. 
It took the audience by storm, and from 
that moment it was felt that Douglas had 
met his match. Lincoln was accordingly 
selected as the Anti-Nebraska candidate for 
the United States Senate in place of General 
Shields, whose term expired March 4, 1855, 
and led to several ballots ; but Trumbull 
was ultimately chosen. 

The second conflict on the soil of Kan- 
sas, which Lincoln had predicted, soon be- 
gan. The result was the disruption of the 
Whig and the formation of the Republican 
party. At the Bloomington State Conven- 
tion in 1856, where the new party first 
assumed form in Illinois, Lincoln made an 
impressive address, in which for the first 
time he took distinctive ground against 
slavery in itself. 

At the National Republican Convention 
at Philadelphia, June 17, after the nomi- 
nation of Fremont, Lincoln was put for- 
ward by the Illinois delegation for the 
Vice-Presidenc)', and received on the first 
ballot no votes against 259 for William L 
Dayton. He took a prominent part in the 
canvass, being on the electoral ticket. 

In 1858 Lincoln was unanimously nomi- 
nated by the Republican State Convention 
as its candidate for the United States Senate 
in place of Douglas, and in his speech of 
acceptance used the celebrated illustration 
of a "house divided against itself" on the 
slavery question, which was, perhaps, the 
cause of his defeat. The great debate car- 
ried on at all the principal towns of Illinois 
between Lincoln and Douglas as riyal Sena- 
torial candidates rcsultcil at the time in the 
election of the latter ; but being widely cir- 
culated as a campaign document, it fixed 
the attention of the country upon the 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 



89 



former, as the clearest and must convinc- 
ing exponent of Republican doctrine. 

Early in 1859 he began to be named in 
Illinois as a suitable Republican candidate 
for the Presidential campaign of the ensu- 
ing year, and a political address delivered 
at the Cooper Institute, New York, Febru- 
ary 27, i860, followed by similar speeches 
at New Haven, Hartford and elsewhere in 
New England, first made him known to the 
Eastern States in the light by which he had 
long been regarded at home. By the Re- 
publican State Convention, which met at 
Decatur, Illinois, May 9 and 10, Lincoln 
was unanimously endorsed for the Presi- 
dency. It was on this occasion that two 
rails, said to have been split by his hands 
thirty years before, were brought into the 
convention, and the incident contributed 
nuich to his popularity. The National 
Republican Convention at Chicago, after 
spirited efforts made in favor of Seward, 
Chase and Bates, nominated Lincoln for 
the Presidency, with Hannibal Hamlin 
for Vice-President, at the same time adopt- 
ing a vigorous anti-slavery platform. 

The Democratic party having been dis- 
organized and presenting two candidates, 
Douglas and Breckenridge, and the rem- 
nant of the " American" party having put 
forward John Bell, of Tennessee, the Re- 
publican victory was an easy one, Lincoln 
being elected November 6 by a large plu- 
rality, comprehending nearly all the North- 
ern States, but none of the Southern. The 
secession of South Carolina and the Gulf 
States was the immediate result, followed 
a few months later by that of the border 
slave States and the outbreak of the great 
civil war. 

The life of Abraham Lincoln became 
thenceforth merged in the history of his 
country. None of the details of the vast 
conflict which filled the remainder of Lin- 
coln's life can here be given. Narrowly 
escaping assassination by avoiding Balti- 



more on his way to the capital, he reached 
Washington February 23, and was inaugu- 
rated President of the United States March 
4, 1861. 

In his inaugural address lie said: " I hold, 
that in contemplation of universal law and 
the Constitution the Union of these States is 
perpetual. Perpetuity is implied if not ex- 
pressed in the fundamental laws of all na- 
tional governments. It is safe to assert 
that no government proper ever had a pro- 
vision in its organic law for its own termi- 
nation. I therefore consider that in view 
of the Constitution and the laws, the Union 
is unbroken, and to the extent of my ability 
I shall take care, as the Constitution en- 
joins upon me, that the laws of the United 
States be extended in all the States. In 
doing this there need be no bloodshed or vio- 
lence, and there shall be none unless it be 
forced upon the national authority. The 
power conferred to mc will be used to hold, 
occupy and possess the property and places 
belonging to the Gcjvernment, and to col- 
lect the duties and imports, but bej'ond 
what may be necessary for these objects 
there will be no invasion, no using of force 
against or among the pe<jple anywhere. In 
your hands, my dissatisfied fellow-country- 
men, is the momentous issue of civil wai". 
The Government will not assail you. Vou 
can have no conflict without being your- 
selves the aggressors. You have no oath 
registered in heaven to destroy the Gov- 
ernment, while I shall have the most sol- 
emn one to preserve, pnjtect and defend 
it." 

He called to his cai)inct his principal 
rivals for the Presidential nomination — 
Seward, Chase, Cameron anfi Bates; se- 
cured the co-operation of the Union Demo- 
crats, headed by Douglas ; called out 75,000 
militia from the several States uj)()n tiie first 
tidings of the bombardment of Fort Sumter, 
April 15; proclaimed a blockade of the 
Southern posts A|)ril 19; called an extra 



90 



P/tES/DBiVrS . OF THE UNITED STATES. 



session of Congress for Julv 4, from which 
he asked and obtained 400,000 men and 
$400,000,000 for the war; placed McCleilan 
at the head of the Federal army on General 
Scott's resignation, October 31; appointed 
Edwin M. Stanton Secretary of War, Jan- 
uary 14, 1862, and September 22, 1862, 
issued a proclamation declaring the free- 
dom of all slaves in the States and parts of 
States then in rebellion from and after 
January i. 1863. This was the crowning 
act of Lincoln's career — the act by which 
he will be chiefl}' known through all future 
time — and it decided the war. 

October 16, 1863, President Lincoln called 
for 300,000 volunteers to replace those 
whose term of enlistment had expired ; 
made a celebrated and touching, though 
brief, address at the dedication of the 
Gettysburg military cemetery, November 
19, 1863; commissioned Ulysses S. Grant 
Lieutenant-General and Commander-in- 
Chief of the armies of the United States, 
March 9, 1864; was re-elected President in 
November of the same 3'ear, b}' a large 
majority over General McCleilan, with 
Andrew Johnson, of Tennessee, as Vice- 
President; delivered a very remarkable ad- 
dress at his second inauguration, March 4, 
1865; visited the army before Richmond the 
same month; entered the capital of the Con- 
federacy the day after its fall, and upon the 
surrender of General Robert E. Lee'c aim y, 
April 9, was actively engaged in devising 
generous plans for the reconstruction of the 
Union, when, on the evening of Good Fri- 
day, April 14, he was shot in his box at 
Ford's Theatre, Washington, byjohn Wilkes 
Booth, a fanatical actor, and expired early 
on the following morning, April 15. Al- 
most simultaneousl}' a murderous attack 
was made upon William H. Seward, Secre- 
tary of State. 

At noon on the 15th of April Andrew 



Johnson assumed the Presidenc}', and active 
measuies were taken which resulted in the 
death of Booth and the execution of his 
principal accomplices. 

The funeral of President Lincoln was 
conducted with unexampled solemnity and 
magniiicence. Impressive services were 
held in Washington, after which the sad 
procession proceeded over the same route 
he had traveled four years before, from 
Springfield to Washington. In Philadel- 
phia his body lay in state in Independence 
Hall, in which he had declared before his 
first inauguration " that I would sooner be 
assassinated than to give up the principles 
of the Declaration of Independence." He 
was buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery, near 
Springfield, Illinois, on May 4, where a 
monument emblematic of the emancipation 
of the slaves and the restoration of the 
Union mark his resting place. 

The leaders and citizens of the expiring 
Confederacy expressed genuine indignation 
at the murder of a generous political adver- 
sary. Foreign nations took part in mourn- 
ing the death of a statesman who had proved 
himself a true representative of American 
nationality. The freedmen of the South 
almost worshiped the memory of their de- 
liverer; and the general sentiment of the 
great Nation he had saved awarded him a 
place in its affections, second only to that 
held by Washington. 

The characteristics of Abraham Lincoln 
have been familiarly known throughout the 
civilized world. His tall, gaunt, inigainly 
figure, homely countenance, and his shrewd 
mother-wit, shown in his celebrated con- 
versations overflowing in humorous and 
pointed anecdote, combined with an accu- 
rate, intuitive appreciation of the questions 
of the time, are recognized as forming the 
best type of a period of American history 
now rapidly passing away. 





^4^A.£^. 




^^t 



ANDREW JOHNSON. 



95 



i 






m 



aHHHJ5HH2Sl 



|3 



mmm ^m^^m 






-^^ ^ 




ft^^ w^^ ^i^^ 

^^'^^^^^^^f''^ NDREW JOHNSON, 
the seventeenth Presi- 
;>;^ dent of the United 
' '^ States, 1865-9, was 
b o )• n at Raleigh, 
Ndith Carolina, De- 
c e in b e i- 29, 1 808. 
I lis fat her died when 
he was four years old, and in 
his eleventh year lie was ap- 
])renticed to a tailor, lie nev- 
er attended sehool, and did 
not learn to read until late in 
his apiircnticeshij), when he 
'^^C suddenly acquired a passion for 
obtaining knowledge, and devoted 
all his spaix' time to reading. 

After working two years as a journey- 
man tailor at Lauren's Court-House, South 
Carolina, he removed, in 1826, to Green- 
ville, Tennessee, where he worked at his 
trade and married. Under his wife's in- 
structions he made rapid progress in his 
education, and manifested such an intelli- 
gent interest in local politics as to be 
elected as " workingmen's candidate " al- 
dcrman, in 1828, and mayor in 1830, being 
twice re-elected to each office. 

During this period he cultivated his tal- 
ents as a public speaker b\" taking ])art in a 



debating society, consisting largely of stu- 
dents of Greenville College. In 1835, and 
again in 1839, he was chosen to the lower 
iiouse f)f the Legislature, as a Democrat. 
In 1S41 he was elected State Senator, and 
in 1843, Rciirescntative in Congress, being 
re-elected four successive periods, until 
'•^53. when he was chosen Governor of 
Tennessee. In Congress he supported the 
administrations of Tyler and Polk in their 
chief measures, especially the annexation 
of Texas, the adjustment of the Oregon 
bounilary, the Mexican war, and the tariff 
of 1846. ' 

In 1855 Mr. Johnson was re elected Gov- 
ernor, and in 1857 entered the LTnited 
States Senate, where he was conspicuous 
as an advocate of retrenchment and of the 
Homestead bill, and as an opponent of the 
Pacific Railroad. He was supported b}' the 
Tennessee delegation to the Democratic 
convention in i860 for the Presidential 
nomination, and lent his influence to the 
Breckenridge wing of that party. 

When the election of Lincoln had 
brought about the first attempt at secession 
in December, i860, Johnson took in the 
Senate a firm attitude for the Union, and 
in May, i<S6i, on returning to Tennessee, 
he was in imminent peril (jf suffering from 



94 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



popular violence for his loyalty to the " old 
flag." He was the leader of the Loyalists' 
convention of East Tennessee, and during 
the following winter was very active in or- 
ganizing relief for the destitute loyal refu- 
gees from that region, his own family being 
among those compelled to leave. 

By his course in this crisis Johnson came 
prominently before the Northern public, 
and when in March, 1862, he was appointed 
by President Lincoln military Governor of 
Tennessee, with the rank of Brigadier-Gen- 
eral, he increased in popularity by the vig- 
orous and successful manner in which he 
labored to restore order, protect Union 
men and punish marauders. On the ap- 
proach of the Presidential campaign of 1864, 
the termination of the war being plainl)' 
foreseen, and several Southern States being 
partially reconstructed, it was felt that the 
Vice-Presidency should be given to a South- 
ern man of conspicuous loyalty, and Gov- 
eriwr Johnson was elected on the same 
platform and ticket as President Lincoln; 
and on the assassination of the latter suc- 
ceeded to the Presidency, April 15, 1865. 
In a public speech two days later he said: 
" The American people must be taught, if 
they do not already feel, that treason is a 
crime and must be punished; that the Gov- 
ernment will not always bear with its ene- 
mies; that it is strong, not only to protect, 
but to punish. In our peaceful history 
treason has been almost unknown. The 
people must understand that it is the black- 
est of crimes, and will be punished." He 
then added the ominous sentence: " In re- 
gard to my future course, I make no prom- 
ises, no pledges." President Johnson re- 
tained the cabinet of Lincoln, and exhibited 
considerable severity toward traitors in his 
earlier acts and speeches, but he soon inaug- 
urated a policy of reconstruction, proclaim- 
ing a general amnesty to the late Confeder- 
ates, and successively establishing provis- 
ional Governments in the Southern States. 



These States accordingly claimed lepresen- 
tation in Congress in the following Decem- 
ber, and the momentous question of what 
should be the policy of the victorious Union 
toward its late armed opponents was forced 
upon that body. 

Two considerations impelled the Repub- 
lican majority to reject the policy of Presi, 
dent Johnson: First, an apprehension that 
the chief magistrate intended to undo the re- 
sults of the war in regard to slavery ; and, sec- 
ond, the sullen attitude of the South, which 
seemed to be plotting to regain the policy 
which arms had lost. The credentials of the 
Southern members elect were laid on the 
table, a civil rights bill and a bill extending 
the sphere of the Freedmen's Bureau were 
passed over the executive veto, and the two 
highest branches of the Government were 
soon in open antagonism. The action of 
Congress was characterized by the Presi- 
dent as a " new rebellion." In July the 
cabinet was reconstructed, Messrs. Randall, 
Stanbury and Browning taking the places 
of Messrs. Denison, Speed and Harlan, and 
an unsuccessful attempt was made by 
means of a general convention in Philadel- 
phia to form a new party on the basis of the 
administration policy. 

In an excursion to Chicago for the pur- 
pose of laying a corner-stone of the monu- 
ment to Stephen A. Douglas, President 
Johnson, accompanied by several members 
of the cabinet, passed through Philadelphia, 
New York and Albany, in each of which 
cities, and in other places along the route, 
he made speeches justifying and explaining 
his own policy, and violently denouncing 
the action of Congress. 

August 12, 1867, President Johnson re- 
moved the Secretary of War, replacing 
him by General Grant. Secretary Stanton 
retired under protest, based upon the ten- 
ure-of-ofifice act which had been passed the 
preceding March. The President then is- 
sued a proclamation declaring the insurrec- 



A NDRB W JOHNSON. 



95 



tion at an end, and that " peace, order, tran- 
quility and civil authority existed in and 
throughout the United States." Another 
proclamation enjoined obedience to the 
Constitution and the laws, and an amnesty 
was published September 7, relieving nearly 
all the participants in the late Rebellion 
from the disabilities thereby incurred, on 
condition of taking the oath to support the 
Constitution and the laws. 

In December Congress refused to confirm 
the removal of Secretary Stanton, who 
thereupon resmned the exercise of his of- 
fice; but February 21, 1868, President 
Johnson again attempted to remove hiu), 
apijoiiiting General Lorenzo Thomas in his 
place. Stanton refused to vacate his post, 
and was sustained by the Senate. 

February 24 the House of Representa- 
tives voted to impeach the President for 
" high crime and misdemeanors," and March 
5 presented eleven articles of impeachment 
on the ground of his resistance to the exe- 
cution of the acts of Congress, alleeinsj, in 
addition to the offense lately committed, 
his public expressions of contempt for Con- 
gress, in " certain intemperate, inflamma- 
tory and scandalous harangues" pronounced 
in August and September, 1866, and there- 
after declaring that the Thirty-ninth Con- 
gress of the United States was not a 
competent legislative body, and denying 
its power to propose Constitutional amend- 
ments. March 23 the impeachment trial 
began, the President appearing b\- counsel, 
and lesulted in acquittal, the vote lacking | 



one of the two-thirds vote required for 
conviction. 

The remainder of President Johnson's 
term of office was passed without any such 
c(5nflicts as might have been anticipated. 
He failed to obtain a nomination for re- 
election by the Democratic party, though 
receiving sixty-five votes on the first ballot. 
July 4 and December 25 new proclamations 
of pardon to the participants in the late 
Rebellion were issuei"", but were of little 
effect. On the accession of General Grant 
to the Presidency, March 4, 1869, Johnson 
returned to Greenville, Tennessee. Unsuc- 
cessful in 1870 and 1872 as a candidate re- 
spectively for United States Senator and 
Representative, he was finally elected t(j the 
Senate in 1S75, and took his seat in the extra 
session of March, in which his speeches 
were comparatively temperate. He died 
lulv 31, 1S75, and was buried at Green- 
ville. 

President Johnson's administration was a 
peculiarly unfortunate one. That he should 
so soon become involved in bitter feud with 
the Republican mpjority in Congress was 
certainly a surprising and deplorable inci- 
dent; yet, in reviewing the circumstances 
after a lapse of so many years, it is easy to 
find ample room for a charitable judgment 
of both the parties in the heated contro- 
versy, since it cannot be doubted that any 
President, even Lincoln himself, had he 
lived, must have sacrificed a large portion 
of his popularity in carrying out atiy pos- 
sible scheme of reconstruction. 



96 



PHESIDENTS OF THE UNI J ED STATES. 





^■'lYSSES SIMPSON 
I GRANT, the eight- 
eenth President of the 
United States, 1869-'/ 7, 
was born April 27, 1822, 
at Point Pleasant, 
fl^ Clermont County, 
His father was of Scotch 
descent, and a dealer in leather. 
At the age of seventeen he en- 
tered the Militar_y Academy at 
West Point, and four j-ears later 
graduated twenty-first in a class 
of thirty-nine, receiving the 
commission of Brevet Second 
Lieutenant. He was assigned 
to the Fourth Infantrjy and re- 
mained in the army eleven years. He was 
ensrao'ed in every battle of the Mexican war 
except that of Buenn Vista, and received 
two brevets for gallantry. 

In 1848 Mr. Grant married Julia, daughter 
of Frederick Dent, a prominent merchant of 
St. Louis, and in 1854, having reached the 
grade of Captain, he resigned his commis- 
sion in the army. For several years he fol- 
lowed farming near St. Louis, but unsuc- 
cessfully ; and in i860 he entered the leather 
trade with his father at Galena, Illinois. 

When the civil war broke out in 1861, 
Grant was thirty-nine years of age, but en- 
tirely unknown to public men and without 



any personal acquaintance with great affairs. 
President Lincoln's first call for troops was 
made on the 15th of April, and on the 19th 
Grant was drilling a company of volunteers 
at Galena. He also offered his services to 
the Adjutant-General of the army, but re- 
ceived no reply. The Governor of Illinois, 
however, employed him in the organization 
of volunteer troops, and at the end of five 
weeks he was appointed Colonel of the 
Twenty-first Infantry. He took command 
of his regiment in June, and reported first 
to General Pope in Missouri. His superior 
knowledge of military life rather surprised 
his superior officers, who had never before 
even heard of him, and they were thus led 
to place him on the road to rapid advance- 
ment. August 7 he was commissioned a 
Brigadier-General of volunteers, the ap- 
pointment having been made without his 
knowledge. He had been unanimously 
recommended by the Congressmen! from 
Illinois, not one of whom had been his 
personal acquaintance. For a few weeks 
he was occupied in watching the move- 
ments of partisan forces in Missouri. 

September i he was placed in command 
of the District of Southeast Missouri, with 
headquarters at Cairo, and on the 6th, with- 
out orders, he seized Paducah, at the mouth 
of the Tennessee River, and commanding 
tlic navi<jation both of that stream and of 



ULrSSES S. GRANT. 



99 



the Ohio. This stroke secured Kentucky 
to the Union ; for the State Legislature, 
which had until then affected to be neutral, 
at once declared in favor of the Govern- 
ment. In November following, according 
to orders, he made a demonstration about 
eighteen miles below Cairo, preventing the 
crossing of hostile troops into Missouri ; 
but in order to accomplish this purpose he 
had to do some fighting, and that, too, with 
only 3,000 raw recruits, against 7,000 Con- 
federates. Grant carried off two pieces of 
artillery and 200 prisoners. 

After repeated applications to General 
Halleck, his immediate superior, he was 
allowed, in February, 1862, to move up the 
Tennessee River against Fort Henry, in 
conjunction with a naval force. The gun- 
boats silenced the fort, and Grant immedi- 
ately made preparations to attack Fort 
Donelson, about twelve miles distant, on 
the Cumberland River. Without waiting 
for orders he moved his troops there, and 
with 15,000 men began the siege. The 
fort, garrisoned with 21,000 men, was a 
strong one, but after hard fighting on three 
successive days Grant forced an " Uncon- 
ditional Surrender" (an alliteration upon 
the initials of his name). The prize he capt- 
ured consisted of sixty-five cannon, 17,600 
small arms and 14,623 soldiers. About 4,- 
000 of the garrison had escaped in the night, 
and 2,500 were killed or wounded. Grant's 
entire loss was less than 2,000. This was the 
first important success won by the national 
troops during the war, and its strategic re- 
sults were marked, as the entire States of 
Kentucky and Tennessee at once fell into the 
National hands. Our hero was made a 
Major-General of Volunteers and placed in 
command of the District of West Ten- 
nessee. 

In March, 1862, he was ordered to move 
up the Tennessee River toward Corinth, 
where the Confederates were concentrat- 
ing a large army ; but he was directed not 



to attack. His forces, now numbering 38.- 
000, were accordingly encamped near Shi- 
loh, or Pittsburg Landing, to await the 
arrival of General Buell with 40,000 more; 
but April 6 the Confederates came out from 
Corinth 50,000 strong and attacked Grant 
violently, hoping to overwhelm him before 
Buell could arrive ; 5,000 of his troops were 
beyond supporting distance, so that he was 
largely outnumbered and forced back to the 
river, where, however, he held out until 
dark, when the head of Buell's column 
came upon the field. The next day the 
Confederates were driven back to Corinth, 
nineteen miles. The loss was heavy on 
both sides ; Grant, being senior in rank to 
Buell, commanded on both days. Two 
days afterward Halleck arrived at the front 
and assumed command of the army. Grant 
remaining at the head of the right wing and 
the reserve. On May 30 Corinth was 
evacuated by the Confederates. In July 
Halleck was made General-in-Chief, and 
Grant succeeded him in command of the 
Department of the Tennessee. September 
19 the battle of luka was fought, where, 
owing to Rosecrans's fault, only an incom- 
plete victory was obtained. 

Next, Grant, with 30,000 men, moved 
down into Mississippi and threatened Vicks- 
burg, while Shermai:, with 40,000 men, was 
sent by way of the river toattack that place 
in front ; but, owing to Colonel Murphy's^ 
surrendering Holly Springs to the Con- 
federates, Grant was so weakened that he 
had to retire to Corinth, and then Sherman 
failed to sustain his intended attack. 

In January, 1863, General Grant took 
command in person of all the troops in the 
Mississippi Valley, and spent several months 
in fruitless attempts to compel the surrender 
or evacuation of Vicksburg; but July 4, 
following, the place surrendered, with 31,- 
600 men and 172 cannon, and the Mississippi 
River thus fell permanently into the hands 
of the Government. Grant was made a 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



Major-General in the regular army, and in 
October following he was placed in com- 
mand of the Division of the Mississippi. 
The same month he went to Chattanooga 
and saved the Army of the Cumberland 
from starvation, and drove Bragg from that 
part of the country. This victory over- 
threw the last important hostile force west 
of the AUeghanies and opened the way for 
the National armies into Georgia and Sher- 
man's march to the sea. 

The remarkable series of successes which 
Grant had now achieved pointed him out 
as the appropriate leader of the National 
armies, and accordingly, in February, 1864, 
the rank of Lieutenant-General was created 
for him by Congress, and on March 17 he 
assumed command of the armies of the 
United States. Planning the grand final 
campaign, he sent Sherman into Georgia, 
Sigel into the valley of Virginia, and Butler 
to capture Richmond, while he fought his 
own way from the Rapidan to the James. 
The costly but victorious battles of the 
Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna and 
Cold Harbor were fought, more for the 
purpose of annihilating Lee than to capture 
any particular point. In June, 1864, the 
siege of Richmond was begun. Sherman, 
meanwhile, was marciiing and figiitiug daily 
in Georgia and steadily advancing toward 
Atlanta; but Sigel had been defeated in the 
valley of Virginia, and was superseded by 
Hunter. Lee sent Early to threaten the Na- 
tional capital ; whereupon Grant gathered 
up a force which he placed under Sheridan, 
and that commander rapidly drove Early, 
in a succession of battles, through the valley 
of Virginia and destro3^ed his army as an 
organized force. The siege of Richmond 
went on, and Grant made numerous attacks, 
but was only partially successful. The 
people of the North grew impatient, and 
even the Government advised him to 
abandon the attempt to take Richmond or 
crush the Confederacy in that way ; but he 



fight it 



never wavered. He resolved to 

out on that line, if it took all summer." 

By September Sherman had made his 
way to Atlanta, and Grant then sent him 
on his famous " march to the sea," a route 
which the chief had designed six months 
before. He made Sherman's success possi- 
ble, not only by holding Lee in front of 
Richmond, but also by sending reinforce- 
ments to Thomas, who then drew off and 
defeated the only army which could have 
confronted Sherman. Thus the latter was 
left unopposed, and, with Thomas and Sheri- 
dan, was used in the furtherance of Grant's 
plans. Each executed his part in the great 
design and contributed his share to the re- 
sult at which Grant was aiming. Sherman 
finally reached Savannah, Schofield beat 
the enem}' at Franklin, Thomas at Nash- 
ville, and Sheridan wherever he met him ; 
and all this while General Grant was hold- 
ing Lee, with the principal Confederate 
army, near Richmond, as it were chained 
and helpless. Then Schofield was brought 
from the West, and Fort Fisher and Wil- 
mington were captured on the sea-coast, so 
as to afford him a foothold ; from here he 
was sent into the interior of North Caro- 
lina, and Sherman was ordered to move 
northward to join him. When all this was 
effected, and Sheridan could find no one else 
to fight in the Shenandoah Valley, Grant 
brought the cavalry leader to the front of 
Richmond, and, making a last effort, drove 
Lee from his entrenchments and captured 
Richmond. 

At the beginning of the final campaign 
Lee had collected 73,000 fighting men in 
the lines at Richmond, besides the local 
militia and the gunboat crews, amounting 
t(^ 5,000 more. Including Sheridan's force 
Grant had 1 10,000 men in the works before 
Petersburg and Richmond. Petersburg fell 
on the 2d of April, and Richmond on th.e 
3d, and Lee fled in the direction of Lynch- 
burg. Grant pursued with remorseless 



ULrSSE-S S. GRANT. 



energy, only stopping to strike fresh blows, 
and Lee at last fonnd himself not only ont- 
fought but also out-marched anfl oiit-gen- 
eraled. Being completely surroundetl, he 
surrendered on the glh of April, 1865, at 
Appomattox Court-House, in the open held, 
with 27,000 men, all that remained of his 
army. This act virtuall}' ended the war. 
Thus, in ten days Grant had captured 
Petersburg and Richmond, fought, by his 
subordinates, the battles of Five Forks and 
Sailor's Creek, besides numerous smaller 
ones, captured 20,000 men in actual battle, 
and received the surrender of 27,000 more 
at Appomattox, absolutely annihilating an 
army of 70,000 soldiers. 

General Grant returned at once to Wash- 
ington to superintend the disbandment of 
the armies, but this pleasurable work was 
scarcely begun when President Lincoln was 
assassinated. It had doubtless been in- 
tended to inflict the same fate upon Grant ; 
but he, fortunately, on account of leaving 
Washington early in the evening, declined 
an invitation to accompany the President 
to the theater where the murder was com- 
mitted. This event made Andrew Johnson 
President, but left Grant by far the most 
conspicuous figure in the public life of the 
country. He became the object of an en- 
thusiasm greater than had ever been known 
in America. Every possible honor was 
heaped upon him ; the grade of General 
was created for him by Congress; houses 
were presented to him by citizens ; towns 
were illuminated on his entrance into them ; 
and, to cap the climax, when he made his 
tour around the world, "all nations did him 
honor" as the)' had never before honored 
a foreigner. 

The General, as Commander-in-Chief, 
was placed in an embarrassing position by 
the opposition of President Johnson to the 
measures of Congress ; but he directly man- 
ifested his characteristic loyalty by obeying 
Congress rather than the disaffected Presi- 



dent, although for a short time he had 
served in his cabinet as Secretary of War. 

Of course, everybody thought of General 
Grant as the next President of the United 
States, and he was accordingly elected as 
such in 1868 "by a large majority," and 
four years later re-elected by a much larger 
majorit}' — the most overwhelming ever 
given by the people of this country. His first 
administration was distinguished by a ces- 
sation of the strifes which sprang from the 
war, by a large reduction of the National 
debt, and by a settlement of the difficulties 
with England which had grown out of the 
depredations committed liy privateers fit- 
ted out in England during the war. This 
last settlement was made by the famous 
" Geneva arbitration," whicli saved to this 
Government $1 5,000,000, but, more than all, 
prevented a war with England. " Let us 
have peace," was Grant's motto. And this 
is the most appropriate place to remark 
that above all Presidents whom this Gov- 
ernment has ever had. General Grant was 
the most non-partisan. He regarded the 
Executive office as purely and exclusively 
executive of the laws of Congress, irrespect- 
ive of " politics." But every great man 
has jealous, bitter enemies, a fact Grant 
was well aware of. 

After the close of his Presidency, our 
General made his famous tour around the 
world, already referred to, and soon after- 
ward, in company with Ferdinand Ward, 
of New York City, he engaged in banking 
and stock brokerage, which business was 
made disastrous to Grant, as well as to him- 
self, by his rascality. By this time an in- 
curable cancer of the tongue developed 
itself in the person of the afflicted ex- 
President, which ended his unrequited life 
July 23, 18S5. Thus passed away from 
earth's turmoils the man, the General, who 
was as trulv the " father of this regenerated 
country" as was Washington the father of 
tiie infant nation. 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 




. . .'^^i^^^m. 






UTHERFORD BIRCH- 
ARD HAYES, the nine- 
teenth President of 
the United States, 
i877-'8i, was born in 
!^ Delaware, Ohio, Oc- 
'^'m.J^^^ tober 4, 1822. His 
ancestry can be traced as far 



back as 1280, when Hayes and 
Rutherford were two Scottish 
chieftains fighting side by side 
with Bahol, WiUiam Wallace 
and Robert Bruce. Both fami- 
lies belonged to the nobility, 
owned extensive estates and had 
a large following. The Hayes 
family iiad, for a coat of-arms, a 
shield, barred and surmounted by a flying 
eagle. There was a circle of stars about 
the eagle and above the shield, while on a 
scroll underneath the shield was inscribed 
the motto, " Recte." Misfortune overtaking 
the family, George Hayes left Scotland in 
16S0, and settled in Windsor, Connecticut. 
He was an industrious worker in wood and 
iron, having a mechanical genius and a cul- 
tivated mind. His son George was born 
in Windsor and remained there during his 
life. 

Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, married 
Sarah Lee, and lived in Simsburv, Con- 



necticut. Ezekiel, son of Daniel, was born 
in 1724, and was a manufacturer of scythes 
at Bradford, Connecticut. Rutherford 
Hayes, son of Ezekiel and grandfather of 
President Hayes, was born in New Haven, 
in August, 1756. He was a famous black- 
smith and tavern-keeper. He immigrated to 
Vermont at an unknown date, settling in 
Brattleboro where he established a hotel. 
Here his son Rutherford, father of Presi- 
dent Hayes, was born. In September, 1813, 
he married Sophia Birchard, of Wilming- 
ton, Vermont, whose ancestry on the male 
side is traced back to 1635, to John Birch- 
ard, one of the principal founders of Nor- 
wich. Both of her grandfathers were 
soldiers in the Revolutionary war. 

The father of President Haj'es was of a 
mechanical turn, and could mend a plow, 
knit a stocking, or do almost anything that 
he might undertake. He was prosperous 
in business, a member of the church and 
active in all the benevolent enterprises of 
the town. After the close of the war of 1812 
he immigrated to Ohio, and purchased a 
farm near the present town of Delaware. 
His family then consisted of his wife and 
two children, and an orphan girl whom he 
had adopted. 

It was in 1817 that the family arrived at 
Delaware. Instead of settling upon his 




L/tv Ct^.>^ 



ftUTlIEnFOh'D B. HAYES. 



'OA 



farm, Mr. Hayes concluded to enter into 
business in the village. He purchased an 
interest in a distillery, a business then as re- 
spectable as it was profitable. His capital 
and recognized ability assured him the 
highest social position in the communit3^ 
He died Jul}- 22, 1822, less than three 
months before the birth of the son that was 
destined to fill the office of President of tiic 
United States. 

Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak, 
and the subject of this sketch was so feeble 
at birth that he was not e.vpectcd to live 
beyond a month or two at most. As the 
months went by he grew weaker and weaker 
so that the neighbors were in the habit of 
inquiring from time to time " if Mrs. 
Hayes's baby died last night." On one oc- 
casion a neighbor, who was on friendly 
terms with the family, after alluding to the 
boy's big head and the mother's assiduous 
care of him, said to her, in a bantering wa)-, 
"That's right! Stick to him. You have 
got him along so far, and t shouldn't won- 
der if he would really come to something 
yet." " You need not laugh," said Mrs. 
Hayes, " you wait and see. You can't tell 
but I shall make him President of the 
United States yet." 

The boy lived, in spite of the universal 
predictions of his speedy death; and when, 
in 1825, his elder brother was drowned, he 
became, if possible, still dearer to his mother. 
He was seven years old before he was 
placed in school. His education, however, 
was not neglected. His sports were almc:)st 
wholly within doors, his playmates being 
his sister and her associates. These circum- 
stances tended, no doubt, to foster that 
gentleness of disposition and that delicate 
consideration for the feelings of others 
whicli are marked traits of his character. 
At school he was ardently devoted to his 
studies, obedient to the teacher, and care- 
ful to avoid the quarrels in which many of 
his schoolmates were involved. He was 



always waiting at the school-house door 
when it opened in the morning, and never 
late in returning to his seat at recess. His 
sister Fannie was his constant companion, 
and their affection for each other excited 
the admiration of their friends. 

In 1S38 young Hayes entered Ivenyon 
College and graduated in 1S42. He then 
began the study of law in the office of 
Thomas Sparrow at Columbus. His health 
was now well established, his figure robust, 
his mind vigorous and alert. In a short 
time he determined to enter the law school 
at Cambridge, Massachusetts, where for 
two years he pursued his studies with great 
diligence. 

In 1845 he was admitted to the bar at 
Marietta, Ohio, and shortly afterward went 
into pi"actice as an attorney-at-law with 
Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he 
remained three years, acquiring but limited 
practice, and apparently unambitious (j( 
distinction in his profession. His bachelor 
uncle, Sardis Birchard, who had always 
manifested great interest in his nephew and 
rendered him assistance in bt)yhood, was 
now a wealth)' banker, and it was inidcr- 
stood that the young man would be his 
heir. It is possible that this expectation 
may have made Mr. Ha\es more indifferent 
to the attainment of wealth than he would 
otherwise have been, but he was led into no 
extravagance or vices on this account. 

In 1849 he removed to Cincinnati where 
his ambition found new stimulus. Two 
events occurring at this period had a pow- 
erful influence upon his subsequent life. 
One of them was his marriage to Miss 
Lucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James 
Webb, of Cincinnati; the other was his 
introtluction to the Cincinnati Literar}' 
Club, a body embracing such men as Chief 
Justice Salmon P. Chase, General John 
Pope and Governor Edward F. Noyes. 
The marriage was a fortunate one asever\-- 
body knows. Nut one of all the wives ol 



io6 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



our Presidents was more universally ad- 
mired, reverenced and beloved than is Mrs. 
Hayes, and no one has done more than she 
to reflect honor upon American woman- 
hood. 

In 1856 Mr. Hayes was nominated to the 
office <jf Judge of the Court of Common 
Pleas, but declined to accept the nomina- 
tion. Two years later he was chosen to the 
office of City Solicitor. 

In 1 861, when the Rebellion broke out, 
he was eager to take up arms in the defense 
of his country. His military life was 
bright and illustrious. June 7, 1861, he 
was appointed Major of the Twenty-third 
Ohio Infantry. In July the regiment was 
sent to Virginia. October 15, 1861, he was 
made Lieutenant-Colonel of his regiment, 
and in August, 1862, was promoted Colonel 
of the Sevent3'-ninth Ohio Regiment, but 
refused to leave his old comrades. He was 
wounded at the battle of South Mountain, 
and suffered severely, being unable to enter 
upon active duty for several weeks. No- 
vember 30, 1862, he rejoined his regiment as 
its Colonel, having been promoted Octo- 
ber 15. 

December 25, 1862, he was placed in com- 
mand of the Kanawha division, and for 
meritorious service in several battles was 
promoted Brigadier-General. He was also 
brevetted Major-General for distinguished 



services in 1864. He was wounded lour 
times, and five horses were shot from 
under him. 

Mr. Hayes was first a Whig in politics, 
and was among the first to unite with the 
Free-Soil and Republican parties. In 1864 
he was elected to Congress from the Sec- 
ond Ohio District, which had always been 
Democratic, receiving a majority of 3,098. 
In 1 866 he was renominated for Congress 
and was a second time elected. In 1867 he 
was elected Governor over Allen G. Thur- 
man, the Democratic candidate, and re- 
elected in 1869. In 1874 Sardis Birchard 
died, leaving his large estate to General 
Hayes. 

In 1876 he was nominated for the Presi- 
dency. His letter of acceptance excited 
the admiration of the whole country. He 
resigned the office of Governor and retired 
to his home in Fremont to await the result 
of the canvass. After a hard, long contest 
he was inaugurated March 5, 1S77. His 
Presidency was characterized by compro- 
mises with all parties, in order to please as 
many as possible. The close of his Presi- 
dential term in 1881 was the close of his 
public life, and since then he has remained 
at his home in Freiuont, Ohio, in Jefferso- 
nian retirement from public notice, in strik- 
ing contrast with most others of the world's 
notables. 



yAMES A. GARFIELD. 



109 




1 (5?^"_,r,7 \t;-^^\i^-^\:-':fii^^x:^\y:'^^^:>f^^':^>^f%^./^ 






£S;i^SEE-S5S;Esa3^^^^-''^->V'^iSSaa£a5-S5iS5£S?SiAf\^j\jBE3aS!Bi^?^i^ 



.i^^4Eii 4. i4M'li?'©.^=t- jl 



rr: a:T^:i^33a33^:^TnT^a a:afc^^ajia: 



"\^&^ 



^?i'..i>tS^i^i^i^C^-^i>% 



4il<&«^«S^tSg«>5^'!^««Jat«3gl< 






m 



?% 









w 



,r 5==- ,. ( ^"^^lES A. GARFIELD, 

11^^^ Zf'''^ twentieth President of 



M&^ 




I lie United States, 1881, 
was born November 19, 
1831, in tiic wild woods 
o f Cuyahoga County, 
Ohio. His parents were 
Abram and Ehza (Ballou) 
(iarficld, wlio were of New 
England ancestry. The 
senior Garfield was an in- 
dustrious farmer, as the 
rapid improvements wiiich 
appeared on his place at- 
tested. The residence was 
the familiar pioneer log cabin, 
and the household comprised the parents 
and their children — Mehetable, Thomas, 
Mary and James A. In May, 1833, the 
father died, and the care of the house- 
hold consequently devolved upon young 
Thomas, to whom James was greatly in- 
debted for the educational and other ad- 
vantages he enjoyed. He now lives in 
Michigan, and the two sisters live in Solon, 
Ohio, near their birthplace. 

As the subject (^f our sketch grew up, he, 
too, was industrious, both in mental and 
physical labor. He worked upon the farm, 
or at carpentering, or chopped wood, or at 
an}- other odd job that would aid in support 
of the family, and in tiie meantime made the 



most of his books. Ever afterward he was 
never ashamed of his humble origin, nor for- 
got the friends of his youth. The poorest 
laborer was sure of his sympathy, and he 
always exhibited the character of a modest 
gentleman. 

Until he was about sixteen years of age, 
James's highest ambition was to be a lake 
ca[)tain. To this his mother was strongly 
opposed, but she finally consented to his 
going to Cleveland to carry out his long- 
cherished design, with the understanding, 
however, that he should try to obtain some 
other kind of employment. He walked all 
the way to Cleveland, and this was his first 
visit to the city. After making many ap- 
plications for work, including labor on 
board a lake vessel, but all in vain, he 
finally engaged as a driver for his cousin, 
Amos Letcher, on the Ohio & Pennsyl- 
vania Canal. In a short time, however, he 
quit this and returned home. He then at- 
tended the seminary at Chester f(jr about 
three years, and next he entered Hiram In- 
stitute, a school started in 1S50 by the 
Disciples of Christ, of which church he was 
a member. In order to pay his way he 
assumed the duties of janitoi, and at tmies 
taught school. He soon completed the cur- 
riculum there, and then entered Williams 
College, at which he graduated in 1856, 
taking one of the highest honors ol his class. 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



Afterward he returned to Hiram as Presi- 
dent. In his youthful and therefore zealous 
piety, he exercised his talents occasionally 
as a preacher of the Gospel. He was a 
man of strong moral and religious convic- 
tions, and as soon as he began to look into 
politics, he saw innumerable points that 
could be improved. He also studied law, 
and was admitted to the bar in 1859. 
November 11, 1858, Mr. Garfield married 
Miss Lucretia Rudolph, who ever after- 
ward proved a worthy consort in all the 
stages of her husband's career. The}' had 
seven children, five of whom are still living. 

It was in 1S59 that Garfield made his 
first political speeches, in Hiram and the 
neighboring villages, and three years later 
he began to speak at county mass-meetings, 
being received everywhere with popular 
favor. He was elected to the State Senate 
this year, taking his seat in January, i860. 

On the breaking out of the war of the 
Rebellion in 1861, Mr. Garfield resolved to 
fight as he had talked, and accordingly he 
enlisted to defend the old flag, receiving 
his commission as Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
Forty-second Regiment of the Ohio Volun- 
teer Infantry, August 14, that year. He 
was immediately thrown into active service, 
and before he had ever seen a gun fired in 
action he was placed in command of four 
regiments of infantry and eight companies 
of cavalry, charged with the work of driv- 
ing the Confederates, headed by Humphrey 
Marshall, from his native State, Kentucky. 
This task was speedily accomplished, al- 
though against great odds. On account of 
his success. President Lincoln commissioned 
him Brigadier-General, January 11, 1862; 
and, as he had been the youngest man in 
the Ohio Senate two years before, so now 
he was the youngest General in the army. 
He was with General Buell's army at Shi- 
loh, also in its operations around Corinth 
and its march through Alabama. Next, he 
was detailed as a member of the general 



court-martial for the trial of General Fitz- 
John Porter, and then ordered to report to 
General Rosecrans, when he was assigned 
to the position of Chief of Staff. His mili- 
tary history closed with his brilliant ser- 
vices at Chickamauga, where he won the 
stars of Major-General. 

In the fall of 1862, without any effort on 
his part, he was elected as a Representative 
to Congress, from that section of Ohio 
which had been represented for si.xty years 
mainly by two men — Elisha Whittlesey and 
Joshua R. Giddings. Again, he was the 
youngest member of that body, and con- 
tinued there by successive re-elections, as 
Representative or Senator, until he was 
elected President in 1880. During his life 
in Congress he compiled and published by 
his speeches, there and elsewhere, more 
information on the issues of the day, espe- 
cially on one side, than any other member. 

June 8, 1880, at the National Republican 
Convention held in Chicago, General Gai-- 
field was nominated for tiie Presidency, in 
preference to the old war-horses, Blaine 
and Grant; and although many of the Re- 
publican party felt sore over the failure of 
their respective heroes to obtain the nomi- 
nation, General Garfield was elected by a 
fair popular majority. He was duly in- 
augurated, but on July 2 following, before 
he had fairly got started in his administra- 
tion, he was fatally shot by a half-demented 
assassin. After very painful and protracted 
suffering, he died September 19, 1881, la- 
mented by all the American people. Never 
before in the history of this country had 
anything occurred which so nearly froze 
the blood of the Nation, for the moment, as 
the awful act of Guiteau, the murderer. 
He was duly tried, convicted and put to 
death on the gallows. 

The lamented Garfield was succeeded by 
the Vice-President, General Arthur, who 
seemed to endeavor to carry out the policy 
inaugurated by his predecessor. 



CHESTER A. ARTHUR. 



"3 



-1-, ^^-K "^.-l- 







jg/o 5*5 '-W 



.,,-.4, 



•4V 




HESTER ALLEN 
ARTHUR, the twen- 
ty-first Chief Execu- 
tive of tiiis jTrowing 
republic, iS8i-'5, was 
born in Franklin 
Count}-, Vermont, 
October 5, 1830, the eldest of a 
iii-f^o family of two sons and live 
-,'l|^ipj daughters. His father. Rev. 
V^jlai? Dr. William Arthur, a l}a[)tist 
clergyman, immigrated to this 
country from Count)' Antrim, 
Ireland, in his eighteenth year, 
and died in 1875, in Newton- 
ville, near Albany, New York, 
after serving many years as a successful 
minister. Chester A. was educated at that 
old, conservative institution. Union Col- 
lege, at Schenectady, New York, where he 
excelled in all his studies. He graduated 
there, with honor, and then struck out in 
life for himself by teaching school for about 
two years in his native State. 

At the expiration of that time young 
Arthur, with $500 in his purse, went to the 
city of New York and entered the law office 
of ex-Judge E. D. Culver as a student. In 
due time he was admitted to the bar, when 
he formed a partnership with his intimate 



friend and old room-mate, Henry D. Gar- 
diner, with the intention of practicing law 
at some point in the West; but after spend- 
ing about three months in the Wester. 
States, in search of an eligible place, they 
returned to New York City, leased a room, 
exhibited a sign of their business and al- 
most immediately enjoyed a paying patron- 
age. 

At this stage of his career Mr. Arthur's 
business prospects were so encouraging 
that he concluded to take a wife, and ac- 
cordinglv he married the daughter of Lieu- 
tenant Herndon, of the United States Navy, 
who had been lost at sea. To the widow 
of the latter Congress voted a gold medal, 
in recognition of the Lieutenant's bravery 
during the occasion in which he lost his 
life. Mrs. Artnur died shortly before her 
husband's nomination to the Vice-Presi- 
dency, leaving two children. 

Mr. Arthur obtained considerable celeb- 
rity as an attorney in the famous Lemmon 
suit, which was brought to lecovcr posses- 
sion of eight slaves, who had been declared 
free by the Superior Court of New York 
Cit}'. The noted Charles O'Conor, who 
was nominated by the "Straight Demo- 
crats" in 1873 for the United States Presi- 
dencv, was retained bv Jonathan G. Lem- 



114 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



mon, of Virginia, to recover the negroes, 
but he lost the suit. In this case, however, 
Mr. Arthur was assisted by William M. 
Evarts, now United States Senator. Soon 
afterward, in 1856, a respectable colored 
woman was ejected from a street car in 
New York City. Mr. Arthur sued the car 
company in her behalf and recovered $500 
damages. Immediately afterward all the 
car companies in the city issued orders to 
their employes to admit colored persons 
upon their cars. 

Mr. Arthur's political doctrines, as well 
as his practice as a lawj^er, raised him to 
prominence in the party of freedom ; and 
accordingly he was sent as a delegate to 
the first National Republican Convention. 
Soon afterward he was appointed Judge 
Advocate for the Second Brigade of the 
State of New York, and then Engineer-in- 
Chief on Governor Morgan's staff. In 1S61, 
the first year of the war, he was made In- 
spector-General, and next, Quartermaster- 
General, in both which offices he rendered 
great service to the Government. After 
the close of Governor Morgan's term he 
resumed the practice of law, forming first a 
partnership with Mr. Ransom, and subse- 
quently adding Mr. Phelps to the firm. 
Each of these gentlemen were able law3'ers. 

November 21, 1872, General Arthur was 
appointed Collector of the Port of New 
York b}' President Grant, and he held the 
ofifice until July 20, 1878. 

The ne.xt event of prominence in General 
Arthur's career was his nomination to the 
V ice-Presidency of the United States, under 
the influence of Roscoe Conkling, at the 
National Republican Convention held at 
Chicago in June, 1880, when James A. Gar- 
field was placed at the head of the ticket. 
Both the convention and the campaign that 
followed were noisy and exciting. The 
friends of Grant, constituting nearly half 



the convention, were exceedingly persist- 
ent, and were sorely disappomted over 
their defeat. At the head of the Demo- 
cratic ticket was placed a very strong and 
popular man ; yet Garfield and Arthur were 
elected by a respectable plurality of the 
popular vote. The 4th of March following, 
these gentlemen were accordingly inaugu- 
rated ; but within four months the assassin's 
bullet made a fatal wound in the person of 
General Garfield, whose life terminated 
September 19, 1881, when General Arthur, 
ex officio, was obliged to take the chief 
reins of government. Some misgivings 
were entertained by many in this event, as 
Mr. Arthur was thought to represent espe 
cially the Grant and Conkling wing of the 
Republican part)- ; but President Arthur 
had both the ability and the good sense to 
allay all fears, and he gave the restless, 
critical American people as good an ad- 
ministration as they had ever been blessed 
with. Neither selfishness nor low parti- 
sanism ever characterized any feature of 
his public service. He ever maintained a 
high sense of every individual right as well 
as of the Nation's honor. Indeed, he stood 
so high that his successor, President Cleve- 
land, though of opposing politics, expressed 
a wish in his inaugural address that he 
could only satisfy the people with as good 
an administration. 

But the day of civil service reform had 
come in so far, and the corresponding re- 
action against " third-termism" had en- 
croached so far even upon "second-term" 
service, that the Republican party saw fit 
in 1884 to nominate another man for Presi- 
dent. Only by this means was General 
Arthur's tenure of office closed at Wash- 
ington. Un his retirement from the Presi- 
dency, March, 1885, he engaged in the 
practice of law at New York City, where he 
died Kovcinhcr IS, 1886. 




-^^ 



( 



GROVRR CLEVELAND. 



ti7 



^->^ 



^»^^^ 




^ 

^ 

















•^.C;^^^---^)' 




^^ROVER CLEVE- 
?<^ LAND, the twenty- 
second President of the 
United States, 1885—, 
was born in Caldwell, 
Essex County, New 
W '* Jersey, March 18, 
1837. The house in which he 
was born, a small two-story 
wooden building, is still stand- 
ing. It was the parsonage of 
the Presbyterian church, of 
w h i c h his father, Richard 
Cleveland, at the time was 
pastor. The family is of New 
England origin, and for two centuries has 
contributed to the professions and to busi- 
ness, men who have reflected honor on the 
name. Aaron Cleveland, Grover Cleve- 
land's great-great-grandfather, was born in 
Massachusetts, but subsequently moved to 
Philadelphia, where he became an intimate 
friend of Benjamin Franklin, at whose 
house he died. He left a large family of 
children, who in time married and settled 
in different parts of New England. A 
grandson was one of the small American 
force that fought the British at Bunker 
Hill. He served with gallantry through- 
out the Revolution and was honorably 
discharged at its close as a Lieutenant in 
the Continental army. Another grandson, 
William Cleveland (a son of a second Aaron 



Cleveland, who was distinguished as a 
writer and member of the Connecticut 
Legislature) was Grover Cleveland's grand- 
father. William Cleveland became a silver- 
smith in Norwich, Connecticut. He ac- 
quired by industry some property and sent 
his son, Richard Cleveland, the father of 
Grover Cleveland, to Yale College, where 
he graduated in 1824. During a year spent 
in teaching at Baltimore, Maryland, after 
graduation, he met and fell in love with a 
Miss Annie Neale, daughter of a wealthy 
Baltimore book publisher, of Irish birth. 
He was earning his own way in the world 
at the time and was unable to marry; but 
in three years he comi)leted a course of 
preparation for the ministry, secured a 
church in Windham, Connecticut, and 
married Annie Neale. Subsequently he 
moved to Portsmouth, Virginia, where he 
preached for nearly two years, when he 
was summoned io Caldwell, New Jersey, 
where was born Grover Cleveland. 

When he was three years old the family 
moved to Fayetteville, Onondaga County, 
New York. Here Grover Cleveland lived 
until he was fourteen years old, the rugged, 
healthful life of a country boy. His frank, 
generous manner made him a favorite 
atuong his companions, and their respect 
was won by the good (pialities in the germ 
which his manhood developed. He at- 
tended the district school of the village and 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UN/TED STATES. 



was for a short time at the academy. His 
lather, however, believed that boys should 
be taught to labor at an early age, and be- 
fore he had completed the course of study 
at the academy he began to work in the 
village store at $50 for the first year, and the 
promise of $100 for the second year. His 
work was well done and the promised in- 
crease of pay was granted the second year. 

Meanwhile his father and family had 
moved to Clinton, the seat of Hamilton 
College, where his father acted as agent to 
the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions, 
preaching in the churches of the vicinity. 
Hither Grover came at his father's request 
shortly after the beginning of his second 
year at the Fayetteville store, and resumed 
his studies at the Clinton Academy. After 
three years spent in this town, the Rev. 
Pilchard Cleveland was called to the vil- 
lage church of Holland Patent. He had 
preached here only a month when he was 
suddenly stricken down and died without 
an hour's warning. The death of the father 
left the family in straitened circumstances, 
as Richard Cleveland had spent all his 
salary of $1,000 per year, which was not 
required for the necessary expenses of liv- 
ing, upon the education of his children, of 
whom there were nine, Grover being the 
fifth. Grover was hoping to enter Hamil- 
ton College, but the death of his father 
made it necessary ior him to earn his own 
livelihood. For the first year (i853-'4) he 
acted as assistant teacher and bookkeeper in 
the Institution for the Blind in New York 
City, of which the late Augustus Schell was 
for many years the patron. In the winter 
of 1854 he returned to Holland Patent 
where the generous people of that place, 
Fayetteville and Clinton, had purchased a 
home for his mother, and in the following 
spring, borrowing $25, he set out for the 
West to earn his living. 

Reaching Buffalo he paid a hasty visit to 
an uncle, Lewis F. Allen, a well-known 



stock farmer, living at Black Rock, a tew 
miles distant. He communicated his plans 
to Mr. Allen, who discouraged the idea of 
the West, and finally induced the enthusi- 
astic boy of seventeen to remain with him 
and help him prepare a catalogue of blooded 
short-horn cattle, knownas " Allen's Amer- 
ican Herd Book," a publication familiar to 
all breeders of cattle. In August, 1855, he 
entered the law office of Rogers, Bowen 
j & Rogers, at Buffalo, and after serving a 
few months without pay, was paid $4 a 
week — an amount barel}' sufficient to meet 
the necessary expenses of his board in the 
family of a fellow-student in Buffalo, with 
whom he took lodgings. Life at this time 
with Grover Cleveland was a stern battle 
with the world. He took his breakfast by 
candle-light with the drovers, and went at 
once to the office where the whole day was 
spent in work and stud}-. Usually he re- 
turned again at night to resume reading 
which had been interrupted by the duties 
of the day. Gradually his employers came 
to recognize the ability, trustworthiness 
and capacity for hard work in their young 
employe, and by the time he was admitted 
to the bar (1859) '"'s stood high in their con- 
fidence. A year later he was made confi- 
dential and managing clerk, and in the 
course of three 3ears more his salary had 
been raised to $1,000. In 1863 he was ap- 
pointed assistant district attorney of Erie 
County by the district attorney, the Hon. 
C. C. Torrance. 

Since his first vote had been cast in 1858 
he had been a staunch Democrat, and until 
he was chosen Governor he always made 
it his duty, rain or shine, to stand at the 
polls and give out ballots to Democratic 
voters. During the first year of his term 
as assistant district attorney, the Democrats 
desired especiall}- to carry the Board of Su- 
pervisors. The old Second Ward in which 
he lived was Republican- ordinarily by 250 
majority, but at the urgent request of the 



GRO VER CL E V ELAND. 



119 



party Grover Cleveland consented to be 
the Democratic candidate for Supervisor, 
and came within thirteen votes of an elec- 
tion. The three years spent in the district 
attorney's ofifice were devoted to assiduous 
;abor and the extension of his professional 
attainments. He then formed a law part- 
nership with the late Isaac V. Vanderpoel, 
ex-State Treasurer, under the firm name 
of Vanderpoel & Cleveland. Here the bulk 
of the work devolved on Cleveland's shoul- 
ders, and he soon won a good standing at 
the bar of Erie County. In 1869 Mr. 
Cleveland formed a partnership with ex- 
Senator A. P. Laning and ex-Assistant 
United States District Attorney Oscar Fol- 
som, untlcr the firm name of Laning, Cleve- 
land & Folsom. During these years he 
began to earn a moderate professional in- 
come; but the larger portion of it was sent 
to his mother and sisters at Holland Patent 
to whose support he had contributed ever 
since i860. He served as sheriff of Erie 
Countv, iS70-'4, and then resumed the 
practice of law, associating himself with the 
Hon. Lyman K. Bass and Wilson S. Bissell. 



The firm was strong and popular, and soon 
commanded a large and lucrative practice. 
Ill health forced the retirement of Mr. Bass 
in 1879, and the firm became Cleveland & 
Bissell. In 1881 Mr. George j. Sicard was 
added to the firm. 

In the autumn election of 1881 he was 
elected mayor of Buffalo by a majority oi 
over 3,500 — the largest majority ever given 
a candidate for mayor^and the Democratic 
city ticket was successful, although the 
Republicans carried Buffalo by over 1,000 
majority for their State ticket. Grover 
Cleveland's administration as mayor fully 
justified the confidence reposed in him by 
the people of Buffalo, evidenced by the 
great vote he received. 

The Democratic State Convention met 
at Syracuse, September 22, 1882, and nomi- 
nated Grover Cleveland for Cxovernor 
on the third ballot and Cleveland was 
elected by 192,000 majority. In the fall of 
i8S4he was elected President of the United 
States by about 1,000 popular majority, 
in New York State, and he was accordingly 
inaugurated the 4th of March following. 



BENJAMIX IfARRISON: 



closely to his business, and by perseverance, 
honoraljle dealing and an upriglit life, suc- 
ceeded in l)uilding up an extensive practice and 
took a leading position in tlie legal profession. 

In 1860 he was nominated for the position 
of Supreme Court Reporter for the State of 
Indiana, and then began his experience as a 
stump speaker. lie canvassed the State 
thoroughly and was elected. 

In 1802 his patriotism caused him to 
abandon a civil office and to otler his country 
his services in a military capacity. lie or- 
ganized the Seventieth Indiana Infantry and 
was chosen its Colonel. Although his regi- 
ment was composed of raw material, and he 
practically void of military schooling, he at 
once mastered military tactics and drilled his 
men, so that when he witli his regiment was 
assigned to Gen. Sherman's command it was 
known as (.)no of the best drilled oriran- 
izations of the army. lie was especially 
distinguished fur bravery at the battles of 
Kesacca and Peach Tree Creek. For his 
bravery and efficiency at tlie last named bat- 
tle he was made a Brigadier-General, Gen- 
eral Hooker speaking of him in tlie most 
complimentary terms. 

AVhile General Harrison was actively en- 
gaged in the field the Supreme Court declared 
the office of Supreme Court Reporter vacant, 
and another person was elected to fill the 
position. From the time of leaving Indiana 
with his regiment for the front, until the fall 
of 1804, General Harrison had taken no leave 
of absence. But having been nominated 
that year for the same office that he vacated 
in order to serve liis country where he could 
do the greatest good, he got a thirty-day leave 
of absence, and during that time canvassed 
the State and was elected for another term as 
Supreme Court Reporter. He theti started 
to rejoin his command, then witli (ieneral 
Sherman in the South, but was stricken down 



with fever and after a very trying siege, made 
his way to the front, and participated in the 
closing scenes and incidents of the war. 

In 1868 General Harrison declined a re- 
election as Reporter, and ajiplied himself to 
the practice of his profession. He was a 
candidate for Governor of Indiana on the 
Republican ticket in 1876. Althmigli de- 
feated, the brilliant campaign brought him 
to public notice and gave him a National 
reputation as an able and formidable debater 
and he was much sought in the Eastern 
States as a public speaker. He took an act- 
ive part in the Presidential campaig:i of 
1880, and was elected to the United States 
Senate, where he served six years, and was 
known as one of the strongest debaters, as 
well as one of the al)lest men and best law- 
yers. When his term expired in the Senate 
lie resumed his law practice at Indianapolis, 
liecominsr the head of one t)f the stronirest 
law firms in the State of Indiana. 

Sometime prior to the opening nf the 
Presidential campaign of 1888, tiie two great 
political parties (Republican and Democratic) 
drew the line of political battle on the ques- 
tion of tariff, vv'Iiich became tlie leading issue 
and the rallyiru: watchword durincj themem- 
orable camr,;.;^-n. The Republicans appealed 
to the people for their voice as to a tariff to 
protect home industries, wliile the Democrats 
wanted a tariff for revenue only. The Re- 
publican convention assembled in Chicago in 
June and selected Mr. Harrison as their 
standard bearer on a i)Iatform of ] rinciples, 
among other important clauses being that of 
protection, which he cordially indorsed in 
accepting the nomination. November 6, 
1888, after a heated canvass, General Harri- 
son was elected, defeating Grover Cleveland, 
who was again the nominee of the Demo- 
cratic party. He was inaugurated and as- 
sumed the duties of his office Marcli -4, 1889. 




^}ri^ 



Q± 










■BliPitfilMISONIQHNfJEi.l 







HONORABLE WILLIAM THOMPSOiN 
PRICE was born in Barre Township, 
Huntingdon County,' Pennsylvania, J line 
17, 1824, and died at liis liome in Black 
River Falls, Wisconsin, December 6, 1886. 
Perhaps no man has been more prominently 
identified with the early and later history of 
the Srate of Wisconsin than he. His oppor- 
tunities tor acquiring an education in early 
life were extremely limited. His father, 
William Price, was a farmer by occupation, 
and at one time Sheriff of Huntingdon 
County. He is said to have been a man of 
large and powerful body, possessing an in- 
domitable will and great force of character. 
William T. Pric-e was a man much smaller 
physically, Init inherited the will power and 
intet^rity of character which had been his 
father's. His early life was spent on a farm, 
and he was for a time employed as clerk in a 
store in IloUidaysburg, Pennsylvania. While 
ho was thus occupied he spent his evenings 
in roiidini; law books, and began tittini; him- 
self for the career of later years. In the 
spring of 1845 he emigrated to the growing 
West, going first to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, 

10 



where he intended to work into the law busi- 
ness. But not being fully satislied with the 
prospect there, he came to Black River Falls 
the following autumn. The story that has 
come down in regard to his worldly posses- 
sions is that he owned an ax and twenty-five 
cents in money. Here he entered upon a 
l)ath that led to the front rank of the busi- 
ness men of the county, and in fact of the 
State. It would be impossible within the 
limits of this article to give in detail an 
account of the business interests with which 
he was connected, but the following facts are 
taken from a biography of Judge Price, and 
will give the reader an idea of what he accom- 
plished, and his business cipacity. 

Soon after his arrival at the Falls he went 
into the pine woods, six miles north of the 
present site of Neillsville, and in company 
with two other men got out 700,000, feet of 
logs during the following winter. This suc- 
cess doubtless determined the character of 
the business in which he was engaged for 
many years, and on which he spent sufficient 
energy to have wrecked an ordinary man. 
In the summer of 1846 he accepted the po.si- 



l:W 



BIOORAPHICAL HISTORY OF 



tion of book-keeper and general manager of 
the bueiness of Jacob Spau)ding. In the 
winter of 1848-'49 he was logging with Amos 
Elliott in Clark County; he continued logging 
with fair success until 1853, when he formed 
a partnership with F. M. Rublee, of La 
Crosse, Mr. Price having entire charge of the 
business; this firm existed about two years, 
and in 1852 purchased and platted the north- 
western part of Black River P'alls. 

In 1854 he removed his family to La Crosse 
and there opened a livery sta])le and estab- 
lished a stage line between that place and 
Black River Falls. In 1854 he returned to 
the Falls and formed a law partnership with 

C. R. Johnson; it was the first law firm on 
Black River, and continued to exist until 
1859, Judge Price retiring. He kept the La 
Crosse stage line in operation for a number 
of years. He also embarked in the mercan- 
tile business on a large scale, with C. S. 
Crossett as a partner. The panic of 1857 
found their business unsettled, and being un- 
able to meet their paper they failed. After 
disposing of all their assets, they were still 
$25,000 in debt. Mr. Price returned to the 
lodging business with renewed energy, but 
without capital, and within seven years had 
every dollar of the indebtedness paid, with 
ten per cent, interest. His creditors made 
him a present of a $300 gold watch and chain 
in token of their appreciation of his honesty 
in paying them what could not have been 
collected by law. In 1860, in company with 

D. J. Spaulding, he engaged in operating the 
Albion flour and lumber mills of this city. 
In 1864 he purchased the stage line from 
St. Paul to Sparta, but soon disposeil of a 
portion of it. He enlarged this business, and 
conducted it successfully. 

In 1871 he purchased a farm in the town- 
ship of Hixton, and added to this from time 
to time until he had 3,000 acres in one body. 



He also owned much other valuable real 
estate, and during the latter years of his life 
his logging interests were more extensive. 
He averaged 60,000,000 feet of logs annually, 
involving the employment of 750 men. lie 
is said to have been one of the most exten- 
sive single operators in the United States, 
and was the largest in the State of Wis- 
consin. 

He began taking an active part in politics 
in 1850. In 1851 he was elected to the As- 
sembly as a Democrat, but on the organiza- 
tion of the Republican party he joined that 
body. In 1853-'54 he was Judge of Jackson 
County; he was a member of the State 
Senate in 1858, 1870, 1878, 1879, 1880, and 
1881. He was Collector of internal revenue 
from 1863 to 1865; for many years he was 
President of the Jackson County Bank. In 
1882 he was elected to the Forty-eighth 
Congress, from the Eighth Congressional 
District; was re-elected in 1884 to the Forty- 
ninth, and in 1886, to the Fiftieth. He was 
attentive to the duties of every position he 
held, and discharged them with great ability 
and energy. He was a clear-headed business 
man, and possessed unusual power as a 
speaker. He was generous-hearted, standi 
and true to his friends, an 1 always ready to 
defend himself against his enemies. His 
death caused sincere and deep regret through- 
out the State and country. His death oc- 
curred before he entered upon his duties as a 
member of the Fiftieth Congress. He was 
one of the brightest men the State of Wis- 
consin has had; he labored constantly in the 
interests of law and order and morality. As 
a business man his ambition was satisfied 
with only the largestoperatioiis, which lie con- 
ducted conscientiously and equitably. In his 
political career he was a reformer whose 
positions could never be misunderstood. In 
Congress he occupied the position of a lea ler, 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



131 



and always commandeil attention wlien lie 
spoke on any question. 

Judge Price was united in marriage July 10, 
1851, to Miss Julia Campbell, of Grant Coun- 
ty, Wisconsin, a most estimable woman, wlio 
with her two children : Hugh 11. and Marj^aret, 
resides in the home erected by the father and 
husband a few vears ago. 



ROBERT EGGETT, of section 15, Eaton 
Township, Clark County, was born in 
Lincolnshire, England, about the year 
1837. lie was left an orphan when quite 
young, and the records of his birth were lost, 
except as they exist in the Church of Eng- 
land. He landed in Quebec, Canada, May 1, 
1883, and in May of the next year came to 
this county, settling on his present fai-ni of 
eighty acres. It was then covered with heavy 
timber, and he had to chop a place to build 
his log cabin; he now has twenty-three acres 
cleared. 

Mr. Eggett was married in Yorkshire, 
November 24, 1866, to Ann Donkin, a native 
of that place, and daughter of George Don- 
kin, deceased. They have live children: 
George H., John H., William, Alfred and 
Minnie. George and John are now working 
for themselves. Mr. and Mrs. Eggett and 
their two sons, William and John, are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Mr. Eggett was a member of the Ancient 
Order of Foresters in the old country foi- 
twenty years. 



. . ^ . ; .. ; . ^ ..>^ 



(YRIL P. LA FLEUK, of .section 10, 
Weston Township, w-as born in the 
Province of Montreal, Lower Canada, 
May 6, 1824, the son of Francis (deceased) 
and Sophia (Marscean) La Fleiir, both natives 



of Canada. They were the parents of three 
children: Cyril P., our subject; Theodore, a 
Baptist minister of Montreal; and Alinyra, 
who died at the age of twenty-eight years. 
Our subject was reared on a farm and edu- 
cated in the public schools of his native 
country. He- came to the State of New York 
when eighteen years old, and worked in a 
tannery at Keysville two months, after which 
he came to Warren County, where he worked 
a few years at the same occupation. He next 
drove a team one year, hauling bricks and 
leather from Minerva to Glens Falls, and also 
worked in the saw-mills and at shoemaking. 
He came to this county in 1869, and in 1875 
settled on his present farm of eighty acres, 
sixty acres of which is cleared, and where he 
is engaged in general farming and stock- 
raising. 

Mr. La Fleur was married in June, 1852, 
to Eunice Hewett, a daughter of Sheldon E. 
Hewett (deceased), and they have five chil- 
dren, viz.: George F., Harry W., William E., 
Ella and Alice. Harry married Dora Fad- 
ner, and lives in this county; Ella married 
John W. Clark, of this township, and has 
three children: Alice, Miriam and James. 
Mr. La Fleur was Town Treasurer five years, 
is now a member of the Town Board, and has 
been a member of the School Board nearly 
ever since coming to this county. Politically 
he is a Republican. 



fOSEPH COVEY, of section 14, range 2 
Weston Township, Clark County, was 
born in Clinton County, New York, 
January 7, 1862, the son of James F. and 
Cornelia (Burzee) Covey, of Warren County, 
New York. They were the parents of seven 
children: Albert, Laura, Melvina, Sarah, 
John, Joseph and Alvin. The mother died 



13i 



BIOORAPHICAL HISJOEY OF 



June 4, 1889. The father liad been married 
prior to his union with our subject's mother, 
and by l)is first wife had three children: 
Charles, Louis and William. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to 
farm life and educated in the common schools. 
He remained with his parents in Warren 
County until twelve years of age, where he 
was engaged in the pineries and driving logs 
on the Hudson River. He came to this 
county in June, 1885, and has since followed 
logging on the Black and Poplar rivers, and 
also farming. Mr. Covey was married April 
29, 1883, to Jennie Pratt, a daughter of Ed- 
ward Pratt, of Greenwood, this county; she 
was born in Warrensburg, New York, July 
21, 1865. Her mother was ]5etsey Ann 
Middleton. Mr. and Mrs. Covey have two 
children: Howard and Hattie. Mr. Pratt 
came to this county in December, 1884, re- 
mained in Eaton that winter, then came to 
Christy, where he lived two and a half years, 
and next moved to Grreenwood, wiiere he 
keeps a general store. 



-^-^ 



JHARLES J. HANNAH, of section 14, 
Weston Township, Clark County, was 
born in St. George, Canada East, Au- 
eust 17, 1840, the son of James G. and Jane 
(Nugent) Hannah, the former a native of 
England, and the latter of County Down, 
Ireland, who came to America with her par- 
ents when a child. The father came to Amer- 
ica when thirty years old, settling in Canada, 
where he was clerk of his county, a merchant 
and Postmaster of St. George. He died there 
in 1851, and his wife died at the same place 
in 1861. 

The subject of this sketch was educated in 
St. George and Kennebec, Canada, where he 
followed farming and logging in early days. 



He subsequently worked in the pineries ot 
Maine, and after returning to his home in 
Canada came to this ctjunty, settling on the 
Ross farm on Black River, Weston Township, 
which is now the Andrews farm. He settled 
on his present place in the fall of 1879, which 
was then covered with timber. He now has 
a fine farm of 200 acres, seventy of which is 
cleared. He has also worked in tlie pineries 
some, hut most of his time has been spent in 
clearing his land and farming. 

Mr. Hannah was married November 3, 
1862, to Mary Boon, daughter of Charles and 
Nancy (Hughes) Boon, both now deceased. 
Mr. and Mrs. Hannah have eigiit children: 
Nancy J., Eliza L., James L., Robert A., 
William 11., Ellen L., Cinda M. and Minnie 
P. Nancy married Robert McKinim, and has 
one child. Mr. Hannah was a member of 
the Town Board one year; is a Republican 
politically, and religiously a member of the 
Presbyterian Church. 



E. HUTCHINGS, of Neillsville, was 
born at Peekskill, New York, June 
® 24. 1839, and removed to Waukesha, 
Wisconsin, with his parents in 1850. His 
parents, Purdy G. and Margaret Hutchings, 
were both natives of the State of New York; 
his great-grandparents, whose surname was 
Clark, also his grandparents, whose surname 
was Jones, were horn in Virginia; his fore- 
fathers took part in the Revolutionary war, 
also in the war of 1812, on the American 
side. He has one brother and one sister, both 
living. His parents are both dead, his fatiier 
dying in 1854 and his mother in 1887, and 
both are buried in the cemetery at Waukesha. 
Mr. Hutcliings was married to Margai-et 
J. McKeand, May 8, 1859, by the Rev. J. 
M. AValker. Miss McKeand was born at 



CLARK AVD JACKSON COUtfTIES. 



133 



Wawatosa, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, 
Noveinl)er 1, 1842. Her parents came from 
Newton Stewart, Scotland, in 1823. S. E. 
ilutcliings and family moved to Clark Coun- 
ty, Wisconsin, in 1869, and settled on section 
34, in the town of Pine Valley. They are 
the parents of five children: Catherine M., 
born October 19, 1861; John E., born Sep- 
tember 28, 1863; William N., born April 
22, 1866; and S. E., Jr., born September 10, 
1868, all in the county of Waukesha; Mary J. 
Ilutcliings, born Feb/uary 26, 1874, in Clark 
County. S. E. Ilutcliings, Jr., died March 
24. 1882, of spinal meningitis; William N. 
died May 23, 1886, by accidental drowning 
in Black River, and both were interred in the 
city of Neillsville cemetery. 

Mr. Hutchings is a farmer by occupation, 
having received a cominon-sciiool and an 
aci ieinical education, and is oie of the enter- 
prising and leading citizens of Clark County; 
has been a Magistrate for tlie past six years, 
and is at present; also Town Clerk of the town 
of Pine Valley for tlie past four years, wiiicli 
ortice he liolds at present. He is a memher 
of the I. O. O. F., Neillsville Lodge, No. 198, 
and he is a strong Rjpublican, taking a prom- 
inent part in all public matters. 



YVEli HJERLEID, a wealthy farmer 
and leading citizen, residing on section 
9, Springfield Township, first saw the 
light of day among the pine-clad hills of 
Norway, September 21, 1828. His parents, 
Iver and Ann Iljerleid, were also natives of 
Norway, and there lived and died. They had 
three sons: Ole, Haldor, and Syver, the 
youngest and only memher of the family 
who loft his native land. He grew to man- 
hood in Norway, and was educated there. In 
1852, he came to America and located in 



(Chicago, Illinois, where he worked at the 
painter's trade for seven years. He saved his 
money, lived economically, and l)y his pru- 
dence and thrift was enabled, in 1854, to pur- 
chase a farm in Jackson County; he paid the 
Government one dollar and a quarter per 
acre; five years after he bought this land ho 
removed to it, and has since given his time 
and energies to its cultivation. His efforts 
have been successful, as ho now has one of 
the most desiralile farms in the county; it 
consists of 160 acres and is well improved 
with many modern conveniences. In addi- 
tion to this lie owns 200 acres, in another por- 
tion of Springheld Township. When he 
arrived in New York, Mr. Iljerleid had but $2 
in money, and was unable to speak one word 
of English, and to-day he ranks among the 
most reliable agriculturists of the community. 
He is always ready to lend a helping hand to 
every enterprise that is calculated to upbuild 
the moral and religious elements of society. 
In his political opinions he agrees with the 
Republican principles of government. He 
has served the people of his township in some 
official capacity continuously since his resi. 
deuce there. 

Mr. Iljerleid was united in marriao-e, in 
Jnly, 1859, to Miss Helen Knudson, in 
Chicago, Illinois. She was born in Norway 
February 7, 1835. In all the obstacles he 
has overcome, and in all the efforts he has 
made to accumulate some property, Mr. Hjer- 
leid has been al)ly and faithfully aided by his 
wife, and this record would fail in one of its 
purposes if it did not preserve this fact in 
connection with the history of this successful 
man. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hjerleid are the parents of 
eleven children: Dorothea M., Ibert M., 
Hans C, Ludwig O., Hannah S., Haldor R., 
Clarence M., Octavius, Ninah C, Carl M. 
and Effie D. Ibert M. is deceased. The 



13 1 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF 



family are all consistent iiieiul)ers of the 
Lutheran Chiircli, ani occupy a position of 
honor and liigh respect in the community. 



[ANFORD D. BEARDSLEY, of section 
26, range 2, Weston Townsliip, Claris 
County, was born in Franklin County, 
Vermont, November 10, 1839, the son of 
Lewis (deceased) and Amelia (Smith) Beards- 
ley. They were the parents of ten children, 
eight of whom still survive: Ellas, Hiram, 
Charles, Harriet, Theron, Sanford, George and 
Jasper. 

Sanford D., our subject, came with his 
parents to Kane County, Hlinois, in 1846, 
settling on wild prairie land. They after- 
ward removed to Sank County, Wisconsin, in 
the fall of 1852, wliere he remained until tiie 
fall of 1861. In that year he enlisted in the 
late war, Company K, Fourteenth Wisconsin 
Volunteer Infantry, serving eight months, 
when he was discharged on account of sick- 
ness. He re-enlisted January 4, 1864, in 
Company H, Seventeenth Wisconsin Volun- 
teer Infantry, serving until the close of the 
war. He was in the battles of Shiloh, the 
taking of Atlanta, and in all of Sherman's 
campaigns to and from the sea. He was dis- 
abled, and now draws a pension. After the 
war Mr. Beardsley returned to Sauk County, 
and subsequently went to Monroe County, 
Wisconsin, where he remained two years. In 
1863 he returned to Sauk County, and in the 
spring of 1873 again went to Monroe County 
and remained until December, 1885, when 
he came to this county, settling on his present 
farm. He lived two years in Neillsville, but 
the remainder of the time has been spent on 
his present place, where he is engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising. 

Mr. I^eardsley was nnirried December 13, 



1863, to Mary Lovisa Mott, daughter of John 
and Esther (Barnard) Mott, both now de- 
ceased. They were the parents of three chil- 
dren, all of whom are deceased except Mrs. 
Beardsley. Mr. and Mrs. Beardsley have 
three children: Rolla L., Blanche A. and 
Adda M. Rolla is now a barber at La Crosse. 
Mr. Beardsley held the office of Township 
Supervisor in Monroe County, and lias also 
been Clerk and Director of the School Board 
of the town of Lincoln, in Monroe County. 
Socially he is a member of the G. A. R., and 
politically a Republican. 



4m^ 



C. WAGE was born in Pennsylvania, 
» April 16, 1841, son of J. D. and Susan 
Wage. He came to Wisconsin with 
his father in 1856, and settled in the town of 
Grant, then Lynn. The father bought 320 
acres of land there, paying for it ten shillings 
per acre. He was killeil in Wisconsin in 
1866, in a logging fallow, by a stick which 
he was liauling catching in the ijrouud and 
striking him on the head, and he is buried in 
Grant Township. The subject of our sketch 
lived with his parents until he was twenty- 
two years old, when he began working on a 
farm at $20 a month, being thus employed 
when the war broke out. At Black River 
Falls, December 30, 1863, he entered the 
service of his country, enlisting in Company 
I, Fourteenth Wisconsin Regiment. He was 
in the Red River expedition, participated in 
the action at White River, Arkansas, at Nash- 
ville, Tennessee, and a number of other en- 
gagements. He was a faithful soldier and 
was honorably discharged October 9, 1863, 
after a two years' service. He then returned 
to Wisconsin, and was engaged in logging 
about two years. 

October 3. 1869, Mr. Wage was united in 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



135 



marriage with Ruth E. Payn, born Fehriiary 
28, 1852, in New York; came to Wisconsin 
in 1857 and to Clark County in 1867. Soon 
after liis return from the army Mr. Wag- 
bouglit ei:^htj acres of land in Grant Town- 
ship, Clark County, living there until 1877, 
when he sold and bought in Pine Valley, 
where he now lives, two and one-half miles 
south of Neillsville. Mr. Wage is a Repub- 
lican, and is ()ne of Clark County's worthy 
citizens. 



-:mS- 



[HARLES W. CHRISTIAN, clerk in 
the Sterling Lumber Co.'s store, and 
also a mail carrier of Sterling, was born 
in Jefferson County, New York, June 30, 
1844, the son of Moses (deceased) and Re- 
becca (Bailey) Christian, the former a native 
of Mohawk Valley, New York, and the latter 
of New Jersey. Of the parents' eleven chil- 
dren, four !-till survive: Melvina, now Mrs. 
John Baker, of Spirit Lake, Iowa; John B.; 
Angeline, now Mrs. Abraham Castellii)n, of 
Hortonvillc, Wisconsin; and Charles W., our 
subject. The latter came with his parents to 
Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, in 1849, 
when the Indians and wild animals were nu- 
merous, and it was then dangerous for a 
person to be out after dark. They settled in 
the openings and succeeded in clearing a 
farm. Mr. Christian was a soldier in the 
late war, in Company II, Twentieth Wiscon- 
sin Volunteer Infantry, served three years, 
and was in the l)attle8 of Brairie Grove, 
Arkansas; Van l!uren, Vicksl)urg, Ya- 
zoo City, Atchafalaya, Louisiana; Fort 
Morgan, Franklin (]reek, Spanish Fort and 
others. He never lost but three days for dis- 
ability, and then ran away from the hospital 
to rejoin his company. 

After tiie war Mr. Ciiristian returned to 



Fond du Lac County, thence to Ilortonville, 
Wisconsin, in 18(37, and in 1872 renuived to 
Greenwood, this county, where he worked on 
a farm until the fall of 1875. In that year 
he came to Longvvood, wiiere he clerked in a 
store and hotel until the spring of 1879, and 
then came to Withee, settling on the south- 
east quarter of section 10, township 28, range 
3 west, which is still his home. 

He was married July 7, 18G5, to Samantha 
Bradford, a daughter of Andrew Bradford, 
of Fond du Lac County. They have three 
children: Charles, Frank and Captolia. The 
mother died March 21, 1890. Mr. Christian 
is a member of tlio G. A. R. and I. O. O. F. 
fraternities; was School Clerk two years, 
Constable two years, and politically is a Re- 
publican. 



lg.^()RACE S. CHASE, a worthy agricult- 
urist of Clark County, has been a res- 
ident of Wisconsin since his fifteenth 
year, and will bo here allotted space in this 
biugraphical record of the county. He was 
born in St. Lawrence County, Now York, in 
the town of Stockholm, June 13, 183(3, and 
is a son of Theodore and Iluldah (Osgood) 
Chase. Theodore Chase was born in New 
Hampshire, near Swanzey, and was a son of 
Abner Chase. He was reared in Vermont, 
served in the war of 1812, and was a shoe- 
maker by trade; he was also interested in 
farming; he took up his residence in St. 
Lawrence County, New York, early in life, 
and there passed the remainder of his days. 
His death occurred in 1840. His wife was 
married a second time to Mr. Hart, of St. 
Lawrence County, New York, and both were 
killed by a runaway team about tiio year 1871. 
Horace S. Chase is one of a family of ten 
children: John F., Frederick, Iluldah, Philan- 



136 



BIOGRAPniCAL HISTORY OF 



der, Caroline, CliRrles E., Emroj, Minerva 
and Lorenzo E. lie was reared in the 
county in wliich lie was born, received his 
education in the common schools and acade- 
mies. When he first came to Wisconsin lie 
worked on a farm during the summer season, 
and devoted his winters to teaching school. 
He was occupied in this way until 1868, 
when he came to Clark County and purchased 
a tract of eighty acres where he now lives; 
he cleared and improved about twenty acres, 
and has a comfortable home. 

August 15, 1861,M'hen the dark war cloud 
of the Eebellion was hanging over this na- 
tion Mr. Chase enlisted as a private in Com- 
pany A, First Wisconsin Cavalry, and served 
until January 17, 18C4, when he received a 
gun-shot wound at Dandridge, Tennessee. 
This rendered him unfit for service, and he 
was in the hospitals of Knoxville, Nashville 
and Louisville until October 20, 1864, when 
he was sent home. His wounds were of a 
very serious nature, being in the neck, throat 
and leg, and he is still suilering from them. 
After comine from the war he resumed his 
place in the school-room, and tanght until six 
years ago. Among the other misfortunes 
with which he has had to contend since com- 
ing to the State was the loss of all his house- 
hold goods by fire. It is indeed a brave 
spirit that can withstand the perils of battle, 
the vicissitudes of pioneer life, and the rav- 
ages of fire with undaunted courage. 

Mr. Chase was elected Clerk of Weston 
Township in 1870, when it covered about 
one-third of the county. He has been Clerk 
of York Township since 1875, and for fifteen 
ytars has served as Justice of the Peace. 
Politically he is a I'cpnblican ; liateriially a 
member of the I. O. (). F. 

On August 25, 1860, he was united in the 
holy bonds of marriage to Miss Eliza E. 
rickens, of Bristol, Kenosha County, Wis 



cousin. Mrs. Chase was born in Erie County, 
New York, June 16, 1842, and is a daughter 
of John and Dinah (Sherman) Pickens, na- 
tives of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, 
respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Chase are the 
parents of six children: Lorenzo H., de- 
ceased; Oliver P., Philander E., Robert I., 
and two who died in infancy. 



-i^^i- 



EORGE LESLIE, a carpenter and farmer 
of Thorp, Clark County, was born in 
Lockport, Niagara County, New York, 
July 26, 1829, the son of David Leslie, de- 
ceased, a native of County Derry, Ireland. 
He was brought by his parents to Canada 
when a small boy, and afterward to Vermont, 
where he married Mary Storm. They then 
moved to Ontario, thence to Niagara County, 
New York, settling in Lockport, in 1845 to 
Milwaukee, in 1848 to Greene, County, Wis- 
consin, later to northern Iowa, and subse- 
quently to Kansas, where the father died, in 
Coffey County, in 1872. The parents had 
seven children, five now living, viz.: Mar- 
garet, John, James, George and William. 
One daughter, Jane, died at the age of 
thirty-seven years. She was married to 
Samuel II. Shaff, of Milwaukee, and left four 
children. Margaret was married to James 
Holmes, of Lockport, New York. 

The subject of this sketch remained in Mil- 
waukee, engaged in teaming, for three and a 
half years, and in the fall of 1848 came to 
Green County, Wisconsin, where he cast his 
first vote for Z. Taylor. He remained there 
until the fall of 1849, when he returned 
to Milwaukee, spent the winter there, and 
in May, 1850, returned to Green County. In 
June of the same year he went West with 
three companions to Fayette County, Iowa, 
taking six yoke of oxen, crossed the Missis- 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



137 



sippi River at Dubuque, ard pastured their 
cattle in tlie streets of that city. He re- 
mained two years, and duriiifr tliat time 
helped locate the county seat, West Union, 
of Fayette County. In 1852 he returned to 
Green County, where he was enp^aged in 
breaking prairie by the acre tor two years, 
then tanned a few years, and in 1859 removed 
to Harrison County, Missouri, where lie 
bought a farm, intending to remain there, 
but was driven out by the drouth of 1860. 
He next went to Chickasaw County, Iowa, 
where he spent the winter; but, having lost 
everything in Missouri by the breaking out 
of the war in 1861, he returned to Green 
County and engaged in farming. In 1880 
he came to Thorp, where he has since worked 
in the pineries, in the saw-mills, at carpen- 
tering, and at various other occupations. 
He also owns a house and four and a half 
acres in Tliorp. 

Mr. Leslie was married December 25, 
1854, to Catherine E. Teneyck, a daughter of 
Borent Teneyck, deceased. They have had 
seven children, six of whom still survive: 
Buenavista, Mary E., Loretta J., George F., 
Edith M. and Ilaiinali L. In his religious 
faith Mr. Leslie is a First-Day Adventist, 
and in his political views a Prohibitionist. 



jNTHONY E. REDDEN, of section 36, 
Weston Township, Clark County, was 
born in Carleton County, Ontario, Can- 
ada, August 28, 1858, the son of Daniel 
(deceased) and Ellen (Fitzpatrick) Redden; 
the former was a native of Ireland, but came 
to Ontario when a young man; the latter died 
in October, 1880. Of their nine children, 
seven still survive, namely: Elizs, Jane, 
.lames, Mary, .John, ATithoiiy and Ella. 
Eliza was married to Lewis Jarvuis, who died 



about 1885; his widow now lives in Ontario. 
Ella married Menford Elliott, of Preston, 
Kingsbury County, South Dakota. The 
family moved to Renfrew County and lived 
there some time. 

-The sul)ject of this sketch came with his 
widowed mother to Clark County, Wisconsin, 
in 1883, settling on his present farm of 240 
acres, most of which is improved. He has 
been engaged in logging camps most of his 
time since, but is now turning his attention 
to farming and stock-raising. Religiously 
ho is a menilierof tlie Catholii; Church, and 
pi)litically a li'3pulili(' ui, altluuifli in ikj sense 
of the word a politician. 

^•^I^^^**^^"- 



fRANKLIN DOWNEIl was l.orn in 
Sharon, Windsor County, Vermont, 
"t^ September 26, 1825, and is a son of 
Solomon and Martha (Huntingdon) Downer, 
natives of the same county and State. The 
paternal grandparents were natives of Con- 
necticut, and the paternal grandfather was a 
soldier in the war of the Revolution. The 
maternal grandparents were born in Nova 
Scotia. Solomon Downer and wife were Ijorn, 
reared and married in Vermont, and there 
they lived and died. He was a soldier in the 
war of 1812; he was a farmer by occupation, 
and accumulated considerable property. 
There were seven children born to this worthy 
couple: Wooster, Jason, Chester, Susan, 
Franklin, Albert and Alice. Tlie three eldest 
are dead. 

The subject of this notice passed his child- 
hood and youth in his native county, and 
there received his education in the common 
schools; he made the most of his opportuni- 
ties for acquiring an education; for a few 
years later we Knd him occupying the posi- 
tion of schoolmaster in the villa<je of Chat- 



138 



BIOORAPHWAL HISTOST OF 



ham, Massachusetts. Thnre he remained for 
four years, and in the season he was not en- 
gaged in teacliing he followed cod-tishing. 

It was in the year 1854 that he bade fare- 
well to the scenes of his earlier days, and 
started out to seek his fortune in the great 
West. He came to Wisconsin, and after one 
year he entered 160 acres of land, section 15, 
Hixton Township, and immediately set about 
improving it, and reducing it to a state of 
culture; he has not been idle all these years, 
and now has eighty acres which he plants 
every year. During the late civil war he 
embarked in the mercantile trade at Hixton, 
and carried on the business successfully for 
eleven years; at the end of that time he dis- 
posed of his interests there, and has since 
devoted his energies to agriculture. The 
breedino- and raising of live-stock has re- 
ceived more or less attention from this pro- 
gressive farmer, and this branch of the 
business has been handled with good results. 

Being a man of wide information and lib- 
eral views, Mr. Downer is independent in his 
politiiis. He has held many of the local of- 
fices, and has given entire satisfaction in the 
discharge of the duties attached thereto. 

May 9, 1864, he was united in marriage to 
Miss Mary A. Hewitt, of Neillsville, Wis- 
consin. She wa^ born in the State of New 
York. She passed from this life in the year 
1886, aged forty-four years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Downer are the parents of 
two children: Lillie M., born June 10, 1865, 
and Solomon J., born December 6, 1871. 

|ZRA TOMPKINS, a farmer, residing on 
section 27, Pine Valley Township, two 
miles from Neillsville, was born July 

1838, in Millville, New York, son of 
John and Sophia Tompkins, both tiatives of 



that State. He attended the district schools 
of the county in which he resided, but his 
educational advantages were limited, as the 
greater part of the year he was compelled to 
labor for the support of those who were de- 
pendent upon him. When a mere boy he 
began to lay the foundation for his own for- 
tune. His first work was in the lumber 
business on the Kennebec River, where he 
received only seventy-five cents per day. 
After being thus employed for several years 
he came to Wisconsin, in 1856, and settled at 
Wedge's Creek, Clark County. The same 
year he came to Clark County, where for 
two years he made his home with his 
brother, both working in a lumber camp. 

January 20, 1857, Mr. Tompkins married 
Alice A. Maxwell, who was born at Ballston 
Spa, Saratoga County, New York, in 1839. 
Three children have been born to them: 
Fred Bee, Effie Carr and Morton L. They 
are all being educated in the district schools 
of Clark County. When he was married our 
subject had but little means; but with a 
cheerful companion to share with him the 
burdens and joys of life, he went to work 
with renewed energy to make a home, and 
he is now the owner of a nice eighty-acre 
farm. In the early days of their house- 
keeping their furniture was of a rude sort, 
but the happiness of that pioneer home was 
none the less genuine on that account. 
Wooden benches answered for chairs, and the 
table on which their daily food was spread 
was made of rough lumber that Mr. Tomp- 
kins dressed himself. 

In the spring of 1883 Mr. Tompkins went 
to California with a view of purchasing land, 
but decided that it would prove an unprofit- 
able investment for him. He returned to 
Wisconsin the same year, and expects to make 
Clark County his permanent home. He is 
a member of the I. O. O. F., and in poli- 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



139 



tics is a Kepnblican. His father and mother 
are both deceased. 

«»-.^-5t-if»|M-~— - - 

PSOMER M. ROOT, County Clerk of 
Clark County, was born in Clienanijo 
County, New York, June 22, 1846, tha 
son of George and Mary (Bush) Root, also 
natives of Chenango County. The fatiier has 
been a farmer all his life. His parents, Mil- 
ton H. and Sarah (Clark) Root, were natives 
of Massachusetts, but moved to Guilford, 
Chenango County, New York, in aii early 
day, where they were engaged in farming 
and stock raising, and where they lived until 
death. The father was quite a politician; 
was captain of a military company, and was 
a member of the Masonic lodge. He reared 
a family of six children that grew to manhood 
and womanhood. His father came from 
England and settled in Massachusetts. Our 
suiiject's grandfather on the maternal side, 
William Bush, a native of Massachusetts, was 
engaged in farming and hotel business, which 
he followed through life. Our subject's 
father had a family of four children, three of 
whom are now living: Homer M., Mrs. Mary 
J. Barber, of Chenango County ; Mrs. Frances 
W. Duffy, of New York city; and Mrs. Sarah 
E. Barber, now deceased. The father belongs 
to the Repu'blican party; is a Mason and Odd 
Fellow; and both he and his wife were mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church, of which he 
was a deacon. 

Homer M. was reared on the home farm, 
received a common schooling, and taught 
school in Chenango and Broome counties for 
live years. In 1869 he came West, locating 
at Greenwood, Clark County, Wisconsin, 
where he worked in the woods during the 
winters and farming in the summers fi)r four 
years, at the end of which time he went into 



business for himself. He owns some valu- 
able timber land in Clark County, and has 
been extensively engaged in logging on Black 
River and its tributaries. Mr. Root was 
elected Town Clerk of the town of Eaton in 
1874, which office he held in that town and 
the town of Warner ten years; was District 
Clerk four years, and was elected to his pres- 
ent office in 1888. He is a Republican 
politically, and attends the Unitarian Church. 
He is a man who stands high in the county, 
and takes an active interest in all matters 
pertaining to the county or State. 



— ■-•■ ^ ■:" i ' A" -' — 

ffAMES PERRY, Postmaster of Pine 
Hill, is one of the oldest settlers of 
Jackson County, having resided here 
since 1841. He was born in Goshen, Co- 
lumbiana County, Ohio, June 13, 1819. His 
parents, Basil and Rachel (Hazen) Perry, 
were natives of Maryland and New Jersey 
respectively. They were married in Colum- 
biana County, Ohio, where they spent the 
greater part of their lives. They had born 
to them six children: John, Margaret, Rebec- 
ca, James, Haimah and Thomas. 

James was the fourth born; he was reared 
in Columbiana County, Ohio, and passed his 
youth after the fashion of most tarniers' 
sons. He acquired his education in the 
common schools, and while he had not the 
opportunity which the State gives the chil- 
dren at the present day, he fitted himself for 
the ordinary duties of business life. In the 
year 1840 he left his childhood home and 
went to seek a home in the West; he re- 
mained in the State of Illinois for a few 
months, and then came to Jackson County, 
Wisconsin, where he has resided almost 
continuously ever since. After coming to 
tha county he turned his attention to the 



HO 



BIOGRAPUTGAL UT STOUT OF 



lumber business, and worked in the pineries 
along the Black River for a nnmber of years. 
Later on he built a saw-mill, which he oper- 
ated until 1848; this mill was located near 
Neillsville, Clark County, and commanded 
a generous patronage from the surrounding 
country; also built and operated saw-mills 
in Jackson County. 

In 1871 Mr. Perry abandoned the lumber 
business, and turned his attention to farming; 
he purchased eighty acres of land on section 
21, town 20 north, of range No. 4 west, in 
Manchester Township, and has placed sixty 
acres under good cultivation. He is a man 
of excellent business qualifications, and is 
fully abreast of the times on all public ques- 
tions. In politics he is in sympathy with 
the Farmers' Alliance party. He has held 
many of the township otKces, and in Febru- 
ary, 1884, he was commissioned Postmaster 
of Pino Hill, and faithfully discharges the 
duties of the office. 

Mr. Perry was united in marriage, in 1847, 
to Miss Lydia Edmunds, of Henderson 
County, Illinois. This union resulted in the 
birth of three children: George M., Sarah 
L. and James D. The mother died in 1855, 
and Mr. Perry was married a second time, 
uniting with Mrs. Eliza J. Ireland, March 22, 
1859. Mrs. Perry was born in Canada, Au- 
gust 31, 1825, and is a daughter of William 
and Lydia A. (Seaton) Jay, natives of Eng- 
land and Canada respectively. Mr. and Mrs. 
Perry have had three children: Charles M., 
Ida M. and William H. 



lis^RASTUS MACK was born in the Do- 
minion of Canada, August 31, 1824, 
and is a son of Daniel and PoUie 
(Chard) Mack, natives of the State of Con- 
necticut. Although born in the United 



States, the parents were married in Canada, 
and passed their lives there. Daniel Mack 
was a farmer by occupation; in the war of 
1812 he took an active part, discharging his 
duties as a soldier faithfully and well. He 
and his wife were both respected members of 
the Baptist Church. They had born to them 
eight children: Daniel, Lewis, David, James, 
Nicholas, Erastus, William, and a daughter 
who died in infancy. 

Erastus was reared on a farm in Canada, 
spending his time in the labors incident to 
acrricultural life. In 1856 he left his native 
place and came to Wisconsin, locating on 
the land he now owns. He purchased it 
from the Government, paying $1.25 per acre. 
At that time no hand had touched the pri- 
meval forest, and the difKculties attending its 
removal and the clearing of the land must 
not be lightly estimated. There was only 
one house at Neillsville, and there were no 
roads. Mr. Mack and his brother Daniel cut 
the road to his place six miles through the 
timber. The first cabin they erected was 
constructed of logs and boards cut from the 
timber, and afterward a log house was built 
that furnished a comfortable shelter for many 
years. As his means increased, and he began 
to reap the reward of his efforts, Mr. Mack 
built a modern dwelling, and erected large 
and convenient barns for the storing of the 
products of his land. His farm now consists 
of 120 acres, seventy-four of which are clear. 
He began in life with nothing but pluck and 
energy for capital, but they have served him 
better than other commodities more fleeting 
and he has won for himself and family a com- 
fortable home and means for a good living. 

In the year 1844, August 12, Mr. Mack 
was married to Miss Maria Hughs, of Canada. 
She was born in Wiltshire, England, Decem- 
ber 25, 1824, and is a daugiiter of Joseph 
and Elizabeth (Lock) Hughs, natives of Eng- 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



141 



land. Her jiarents emigrated to America in 
1831; the mother died at Montreal before 
they had reached their destination, and the 
father is now deceased. 

Mr. and Mrs. Mack have had born to them 
thirteen children: Neheraiah, Elizabeth, 
Hannah, Nicholas, Wesley, Joseph, Eli, 
Adalaide, Albra, Charles, Edith, Leslie, and 
one child who died in infancy. All the chil- 
dren excepting Nicholas and Leslie are mar- 
ried. The t'athei and mother are honored 
and consistent members of the Seventh-Day 
Adveiitist Church. 

"•■ ^3 <' S - S "- 



P^H AKLES FOOTE was born in England, 
Jp^ the son of Samuel and Hannah Foote, 
both natives of that country. He came 
to America in 1852, and in 1854 located in 
Clark County, Wisconsin, on a farm in sec- 
tion 24, Pine Valley Township. His early 
education was received in his native land, 
and when he came to the United States he 
was entirely without means. For a time lie 
worked in Racine, Wisconsin. He was en- 
gaged in lumbering, working iu a mill and 
farming up to 1861. In that year he en- 
listed in Com])any L Fourteenth Wisconsin 
Regiment, and participated in the battles of 
Shiloh and Corinth and other impoi-tant en- 
gaicements. Mr. F^oote served his country 
faithfully and was always found at the post 
of duty. He was honorably discharged in 
1866. 

In 1800 he was united in marriage to 
Macsxie Ross. To them five children have 
been born: Frank, Nellie, Grace, lilanch and 
Oscar. One child is deceased. The otiiers 
are receivinij their education in the high 
schools. Since the war Mr. Foote has been 
engaged In farming in ('lark County, lie 
owns a farm which is located two miles east 



of Neillsville and which is well improved. 
He is regarded as one of the best citizens of 
the township. 



|,^|:^M1L POPPE, of section 11, Weston 
lifll Township, Clark County, was born in 
Mosel Township, Sheboygan County, 
Wisconsin, October 20, 1856, the son of 
Adolph Poppe. a native of Saxony, Germany. 
He came to the United States when forty 
years of age, settling in Shehoygan County, 
where he died December 1, 1879. Our sub- 
ject's mother, nee Yetta Derke, now lives in 
that county, at the age of seventy-three years. 
They were the parents of seven children: 
Christopher, Ernest, Augusta, Oswald (de- 
ceased), Emil, Charles and llerinaim. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on a 
farui, and received a common-school edu- 
cation. He came to this county in the fall 
of 1888, settling on his present farm of 120 
acres, tweiity-six of which is cleared. 

He was married October 4, 1880, to Chris- 
tine Site, a daughter of Joseph Sife, of Dale, 
Wisconsin. They have three children: Jo- 
sephine, Tilla and Christine. Both he and 
his wife are members of the Lutheran Church, 
and the former is a Democrat politically. 



-|->^- 



fOSEPH C. MARSH, one of the enter 
prising business men of the county, was 
born in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, 
January 1, 1852, and is a son of Nelson and 
Rocelia (Taylor) Marsh: the father was born 
in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, in 
1827, and his wife was also a native of the 
"Keystone" State. Our subject was the 
eldest of a family of seven children; he was 
only live years of age when his parents re- 



14-2 



BIOORAPHTGAL BISTORT OF 



moved to Wisconsin; here lie passed his 
youth, acquiring his education in the com- 
mon sclioola and at Oskaloosa (Iowa) College; 
he was one of the early educators, having 
taught hoth in Clark County, Wisconsin, and 
in Iowa. After foUowincr this profession for 
a number of years he turned his attention to 
the lumber business, and in 1882 put in op- 
eration saw- mills both at Heathville and 
Spokeville, this county; this industry has 
flourished uuder his wise direction, and he 
now owns an extensive mill at Spokeville in 
which many building materials are manu- 
factured. It is indeed gratifying to see en- 
ergy and industry thus rewarded. In addition 
to his milling interests, Mr. Marsh owns a 
mercantile l)usiness at Spokeville, and is also 
Postmaster of the place. He has occupied 
several public offlees, displaying always that 
ability and sound judgment which have char- 
acterized his private dealings. He afiiliates 
with the Republican party and belongs to 
Master Lodge, No. 163, A. F. & A. M. 

Mr. Marsh was wedded to Miss Amy E. 
Covey, July 20, 1884, at Maple Works, 
Clark County, Wisconsin. She was born in 
St. Lawrence County, New York, in 1865, 
and is a daughter of Martin and Mary Covey. 
Mr. and Mrs. Marsh are the parents of one 
child, Martie, aged two years. 

By a former marriage Mr. Marsh had 
three children: Hattie, Anna and Kay. 



f5 .1 .^ ^ 



fOlIN WILDISH, a prosperous farmer of 
Clark County, was born in Kent, Eng- 
land, January 27, 1847. April 24, 1867, 
he left his native land and sailed for Amer- 
ica. He was married in 1873, to Miss Hen- 
rietta Bancrolt, a distant relative of George 
Bancroft, the historian. She was born in 
Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, in 1852, the 



daughter of New York parents. They have 
had six children: Allen, Rolland, Grace, 
Violiette, Horace and Harry. They are 
being educated in the high school at Neills- 
ville. By industry and economy Mr. Wild- 
ish has hewed out for himself the foundation 
of a nice little fortune. He owns eighty 
acres of choice land in section 24, Fine Val- 
ley Township, Clark County, one mile from 
the city of Neillsville, of which he has 
cleared up a good share with his own hands, 
it having been a perfect wilderness when he 
came to this part of Wisconsin. He is en- 
gaged in stock raising and farming, giving 
special attention to the raising of good 
sheep. He casts his vote with the Republi- 
can party, the first candidate for the Presi- 
dency that he supported having been General 
Grant. 



fOSEPH L. BARBER, of section 10, 
range 2, Weston Township, Clark County, 
was born in Essex County, New Jersey, 
October 10, 1827, the son of John S. and 
Abigail (Kinneman) Barber, both natives of 
New Jersey; the former was a shoemaker by 
trade. They were the parents of eleven chil- 
dren, six of whom still survive. Our sub- 
ject's grandfather, John S. Barber, was a 
Hessian, and came to this country to light 
against the Americans in the Revolutionary 
war, but deserted by jumping off a man-of- 
war, swam to the shore and joined Washing- 
ton's army, in which he was an officer until 
the close of the war. His wife cooked many 
meals for Washington, as the great General 
made his headquarters at their house while 
he was in winter quarters near Morristown, 
New Jersey. She drew a large pension, and 
died about thirty-five years ago, at the age of 
ninety-seven years. 



VLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



14a 



The subject of this sketch learned the 
ship-carpenter's trade, at the age of twenty- 
two years. He went to Chemung County, 
New York, where his brothers and sisters 
still reside. One brother (Abbott) is a 
wealthy man, and a Knight of the Red Cross 
Mason. Mr. Barber came to Calumet Clonnty, 
Wisconsin, in 1851, wiiere he bought land, 
but afterward returned to the East, and 
worked at his trade until 1854. In that year 
he came again to this State and settled on a 
farm, which was covered with iieavy timber. 
lie was a soldier in the late war, in Company 
D, Sixteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, 
serving one year, and participated in the bat- 
tles of Savannah, Fort McAllister and others. 
His hearing was affected in the army, as was 
also his heart and lungs, and on account of 
the two latter draws a small pension. Mr. 
Barber came to this county in 1884, settling 
on his present farm of eighty acres, forty of 
which is cleared. 

He was married in New Jersey, in July, 
1847, to Frances Elizabeth Demouth, a native 
of New Jersey, and daughter of John and 
Maria (Levi) Demouth. Mr. and Mrs. Bar- 
ber have had eleven children, seven of whom 
still survive, namely: Hannah, Samantha, 
Theodore, Joseph, Frank, Lillie and Albert. 
Hannah married George Smith, of Boyd, 
Chippewa County, Wisconsin, and they have 
two children — George and Mary. Hannah 
has a high-school education, and has taught 
seven years. Samantha married Sanford 
Chase, of Jefferson County, New York, and 
they have four children: Joseph S., Edward 
A., Frances C. and John L. Theodore is 
principal of the Alma Center School of 
Jackson County; was married to P^lora Mc- 
Carty, and has one child — Joseph. Joseph 
married Sina Fadner, lives in Eau Claire, 
and has two children — Carl ¥. and an infant 
girl. Frank is principal of the Melrose High 



School, Jackson County, and is a graduate of 
the Neillsville High School, in both English 
and German. Lillie is a teacher also. Al- 
bert married Alamanza Demouth, resides in 
Hay ton, Calumet County, Wisconsin, and 
has three children — George A., Lillian and 
Eva. Mr. Barber is a Mason socially, and 
politically a Republican. He has held the 
offices of Supervisor, Assessor, Constable, 
and Clerk of School J'oard. Mrs. Barber 
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 



UNDER ANDERSON.— This reliable 
and progressive farmer, residing on 
section 8, Springfield Township, enjoys 
the distinction of being the first white man 
to settle in this territory. He was born in 
Norway, September 30, 1820. His parents, 
Aadne and Ilelga (Gunderson) Anderson, 
were both natives of Norway. They emi- 
grated to America in the year 1843, and set- 
tled in Racine County, Wisconsin, where the 
father died. In 1854 the mother and chil 
dren removed to Jackson County, Wisconsin, 
and settled in the place that is now knovvn as 
Springfield Township; there the mother 
passed the remainder of her days. There 
were seven children in the family: Ivnud, 
G under, Ole, Gertrude, Knud, Margaret and 
Sarah. 

Gunder was the second child born; he was 
reared and educated in the place of liis birth, 
but in 1843, when his parents set sail for 
America, he accompanied them, and lived in 
Racine County, Wisconsin, until 1850. Then 
in company with three other men he crossed 
the plains to California, walking the entire 
distance. This in itself was no small feat, 
and was worthy of a better reward than they 
received in the "Golden State." Mr. An- 



144 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF 



derson was engaged in mining for a period 
of two years, but not realizing all he antici- 
pated he determined to return to Wisconsin. 
Accordingly, in 1854 we find him located in 
Jackson County, where he and his brothers 
entered a large tract of land under the Gov- 
ernment land laws existing; at that time. It 
was situated in what is now Springfield 
Township, and is as line land as can be found 
in the county. Mr. Anderson has given 
much time and thought to its proper cultiva- 
tion, and has converted it from the wild 
state of nature into one of the best farms in 
the county. When he first settled there, 
neighbors were fifteen miles away, and the 
nearest market place was Black River Falls, 
which was then a small village. The farm 
is composed of 200 acres, and is well im- 
proved with large buildings and many con- 
veniences. 

In choosing a political creed in his newly 
adopted country, Mr. Anderson identified 
himself with the Republican party. He and 
his family are members of the Lutheran 
Church, and are numbered among the faith- 
ful and consistent. 

June 24, 1862, our esteemed subject was 
united in marriage to Miss Mary Thurston, 
of Jackson County, Wisconsin. She was 
born in Norway, February 6, 1843, and is a 
daughter of Thurston and Alie (Reiersonj 
Thurstenson, natives of Norway. The par- 
ents emigrated to America in 1852, and set- 
tled in Pennsylvania; in 1858 they removed 
to Jackson County, Wisconsin, and settled in 
Springfield Township, where the father still 
survives; the mother died several years ao-o. 
Mrs. Anderson is a woman of many accom- 
plishments and rare virtues, and is highly 
respected by all who know her. 

Nine children have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Anderson: Emma H., who as a teacher 
has won a high reputation; Alida T., the 



wife of Sanders Thompson; Ida L., Nettie 
S., Thomas, Albert, Minnie L., Enoch W. 
and Newell G. Nettie S., Ida L. and Thomas 
are deceased. Alida T. Thompson is the 
mother of one child— Gaylord G. They re- 
side in Madison, Wisconsin. 



jT^NUD S. BERGSETH, a blacksmith by 
W^$^ trade, was born in Norway, December 

"i^^ 23, 1842. He is a son of Soren and 
Anna Bergseth, who were also natives of 
Norway. The mother died in her native 
land, but the father emigrated to America, 
in 1872, and passed his last days in Jackson 
County, Wisconsin. He was a blacksmith 
by trade, and it was from him that our sub- 
ject received his most excellent training in 
this occupation. There were nine children 
in the family, of whom Knud S. was the 
second born. He grew to manhood in Nor- 
way, and was early inured to the labor of his 
trade. He remained content in the land of 
his birth until 1870, and he then determined 
to cross the sea to the land which welcomed 
the nationalities of the world. After land- 
ing on our shores he continued his journey 
to Wisconsin, and selected Jackson County 
as bis future home, and worked at his trade 
until five years later, when he invested in 
land near Taylor, Jackson County, and has 
brought this to a good state of cultivation; 
the farm consists of 200 acres, and is well 
improved with fine farm buildings. 

When Mr. Bergseth came to America he 
was entirely unable to speak the English lan- 
guage, and had little to rely upon except his 
natural resources By wise management and 
the exercise of his faculties he has accumu- 
lated a comfortable property, and has arisen 
to a position of independence. He is a Re- 
publican in his political opinions, but has de- 





u-c. 




J^r^i.^yMilLl, 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



14.1 



cliiiod tlic [)iil)liu offices tliat liave liecti 
ofl'ered liim. IIo lias retired from active 
work oil lii.s farm, and is now occii])icd witli 
Ills tiado ill tlie village of Taylor, where lie 
enjoys a liberal patrona(>;e. 

Ill 18()7 he was united in marriage to Miss 
liiger Aiiiiiiidson, in Norway, and of tiiis 
niiioii two children were l)(»rii: Sam and 
Amos. The mother died in 1S71, and the 
father was marrieil a second time, to Miss 
Dorthea Hanson, of Jackson (loiiiity, ^Vis- 
consiii. She is the mother of sineii children: 
Ih^lmer, Anna, .Joi-<;eii. Evert, Marie, ( 'arl 
and Edna. 



^ipSU(;iI r.PtOOlvS MILLS, the founder 
%WX and a prominent business man of Mills- 
■^Slfi ton, was born in Mountain, Canada, 
.(anuary 14, 1S'2S, a son of Thomas and 
Margaret (Mclntyre) Mills. Ilis father was 
born and reared in Delaware, and lived there 
until about twenty-one, when he went to 
Canada, where lie met and married his wife. 
Early in the '30s his father moved back to 
Delaware, and a year or so later removed to 
St. Lawrence County, New Vork, where he 
lived until about 1^50, and tluMi came to this 
county and spent the remainder of his life. 
IIo was a farmer, and he and iiis wife were 
members of the Presbyterian CMiurcli. His 
grandfather was Alexander Mills, a Scotch- 
man who stM'ved in the war of 1H12 as an 
officer, and died from injuries received while 
in the service. Our subject's mother was 
born in Scotland, nc^ar (ilasgow, and died in 
Jacksrni County, ^VisconsiIl. lie had four 
brothers and one sister, viz.; (!atlierine (de- 
ceased) was the wife of Ira Partridge, of 
Macomb, St. ijawrenc(( County, New York; 
Thomas, a farmer in tliis county; Daniel, 
and John II. (deceased), formerly lumbermen 
in this county. 

The subject of this sketch, the sc^cond child 
in order of birth, was reared in St. Lawrence 
County, on a farm. He remained with his 
father and mive him the benefit of his labors 
until twenty-one years of ai^e, when he came 
in the spring of ISfO to Wisconsin, and be- 
gan working liy the month in the pineries at 
^ I'l 



Shawano, ami remained in that vicinity three 
seasons. He then came on to Hhudj Uiver 
and continueil working in the pineries until 
1853, when he commenced lumbering on his 
own account, in what is now (Jlark County, 
and has since bctui continuously in the lum- 
ber biisiiu^ss. I.iater lu^ moved back into 
Jackson County, and bought and ran a mill 
in the town of Manchester several yi^ars. 
In 18(52 his mill was burned, leasing him 
almost penniless. In 1873 \w located where 
he now lives, and started tiie town of Mills- 
ton, or rather the village, and the township 
took his name. He ere(^tetl the lirst build- 
ing in the place. He is now running a mill 
at Millston, and also owns about 3,00(1 acres 
of timber land, — pine, hard-wood, etc. Ile 
owns considerable farming land in Wisconsin 
and Minnesota, and also pro])erty in Superior. 

Mr. Mills was one of the organiz(M-s of the 
Jackson County I'.ank at Black River I''alls, 
and at the first election of oIKcers was made 
its vice-president, and later was elected prc^si- 
dent, in which capacity he served fix'e years. 
He has since been one of the directors. He 
is also interested in a steam grist-mill at 
IJlack River Ealls. He has served his town 
in some official capacity ever since he has 
been in the county; was a member of the 
State Assembly one term in 1877, from Jack- 
son and Clark co\inties. He is a member of 
the F. & A. M. at Black River Falls, and is 
now a thirty-second degree Mason. In poli- 
ties he has all his life been a Republican. 

January 12, 18.')7, Mr. Mills married Miss 
Mary Rogers, of La Crosse County, Wiscon- 
sin, who was then enwiired in teachiiuT school. 
She was born in (Quebec, (Jaiiada, in 1S.57. 
They have had nine children, namely: Thomas 
P., John II., Alexander, ha, Edward, Den- 
nis, Hugh P., Mary M. and Margaret M. 
Ira and Dennis are (leceased. 

Mr. Mills is an old pioneer and a sidf- 
inade man in the fullest sense of the word. 
In 1852 he bt)rrowed JP25 to ]iay his ex|)enses 
to what is now Jackson Coiintv, and began 
the struggle for a fortune to which he can 
now v.'ith honorable pride lay claim. When 
be first came here, he with six others kept 
bachelor's hall, going occasionally to iilack 
River Falls for a sack of (lour and supplyino- 



146 



BIOORAPIIICAL BISTORT OF 



themselves with meat by liunting and lish- 
iiig, killing deer, hear, partridge and other 
wild game. One old United States rifle was 
the only gun they owned, and each wonld 
take his turn in killing game. The Winne- 
haeo Indians were then under tribal relations 
and not as near civilized as they now are, but 
were always friendly with the old pioneers. 
Mr. Mills speaks of those days as some of 
the happiest of his life. "Then,"' he says, 
" a man's word was his bond, and honor was 
law; and all differences were settled by arbi- 
tration.'' 

Mr. Mills' own life is an example for 
young men to follow. Starting with no capi- 
tal but brain and muscle, inspired with a de- 
termination to succeed, lie went to work and 
never squandered his hard-earned dollars in 
driidv and riotous living, and his present 
accumulations speak for his success. Jle has 
always contributed liberally in an unostenta- 
tious way to every ])ublic enterprise, and has 
added as much to tiie wealth and prosperity 
of Jackson County as aiiy of her citizens. 
His sons are all cood business men and are 
"chips off the old block," following closely 
the footsteps of their worthy sire. Mrs. 
Mills is a lady of reffnetnent, and her gentle 
but cordial manner makes every one around 
her feel happy. Slie is devoted to her iius- 
baiid and children, and iier children are such 
that she can justly feel proud of them. 



rOM. 15. rillLPOTT was horn in 
Hampshire, England, near the city of 
Southampton, April 14, 1843, and is 
a son of William and Eliza (Andrews) Phil- 
pott, natives of Enifland. The father was 
born June 27, 1809, and the mother Decem- 
ber?, 1810; she died in Loyal, Clark County, 
Wisconsin, January 4, 1886. They emi- 
grated to America in 185G, and settled at 
Iron liidge. Dodge County, Wisconsin; there 
they resided until 1877, and in that year re- 
moved to Clark County, Wisconsin, locating 
at Loyal; tlie father still survives and makes 
that place his home. He is a blacksinitli by 
trade, and has followeil this occnpatidii since 



he was tiiirteen years of age. At one time, 
however, he was employed on the police force 
in England, and during this lime continued 
his trade. He and his wife were consistent 
meinliers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
They had seven children born to tlu-m: Hairy, 
William, Tom. I'., Francis, James, Frank 
and Mary; Fi-ancis, James and Frank died 
in infancy. 

Tom. 15. was twelve years of age when he 
sailed to America. He was trained to the 
Uacksmith's traile by his father. He followed 
this calling in Iron Uidge, Wis., until 1860, 
and during the Pike's Peak excitement he went 
West. In 1861 he returned home, and in Au- 
gust, 1862, joined Company' T, Twenty-ninth 
Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, serving until 
December, 1864. He was then made hospital 
steward in the regular army, and held that 
position until Octol)er, 1865, at Fort Leaven- 
worth, Kansas. He participated in tlie siege 
of Vicksburg, was in tlie battles of Jackson 
and Ciiampion Hill, and many minor engage- 
ments. 

After the war Mr. Philpott returned to 
Wisconsin and homesteaded 160 acres of land 
in Loyal Township, Clark County; this was 
heavily timbered, and he devoted his energies 
to clearing it up and placing it under culti- 
vation, until 1871; at that time he l)uilt a 
l)lacksmith shop in Loyal, estahlishing a profit- 
able trade. He continued there in business 
until 1877; during five years of tin's time he 
served as town clerk of Loyal, and in the fall 
of 1877 he was elected Sheriff of the county 
on the liepublican ticket by a majority of 
thirteen votes; the following term he served 
as Under Sheriff, and in 1881 he was re- 
elected to the office by a majority of 670 votes; 
followino- this term he again served as Under 
Sheriff. During tiiis time he was promi- 
nently identified with the Republican party; 
he was chairuian of the County Committee for 
two years. He discharged all his duties 
with fidelity. He has been in the mercantile 
trade at Loyal since 1883, and besides he 
owns 240 acres of timlier lands in Loyal Town- 
ship. He also has nine lots in Loyal. He has 
accumulated this property by diligence, indus- 
try and good management, and is to be con- 
gratulated upon the success that has crowned 



CLARK AND JACKaON COUISTIES. 



147 



his efforts. The early days in a new country 
are not frauglit with pleasure and ease, and 
the comforts of life are meager. 

Mr. Pliilpott was married January 5, 1865, 
to Miss Emily T. Bresee, of Madison, Wis- 
consin. She was born in Dane County, Wis- 
consin, February 22, 1847, and is a daughter 
of Daniel Bresee, Esq. Four children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Philpott: Milton 
J., Pearl M., George B. and Guy R. The 
parents and two older children are active 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and are numbered among the most worthy 
families of the community. 

Our esteemed subject is a member of the 
1. O. (). F. lodge, No. 198, of NeilL^ville, 
Wisconsin; of the C. R. Gill Post, No. 236, 
G. A. K.; of the A. O. U. W., of Neills. 
ville. and Modern Woodmen of America, 
Loyal Camp; No. 1,414, of Loyal, of which he 
is the clerk. 



•<?,.5^,j*^t,^ 



EORGE FRANTZ, one of Clark 
County's successful farmers, resides on 
section 23 Pine Valley Township. He 
was born in Prussia, July 8, 1829, son of 
Conrad and Julia Frantz, natives of Prussia. 
His father was one of Napoleon's brave sol- 
diers, having served in his army ten years. 
The subject of our sketch was educated in 
bis native country and there learned the 
butcher's trade. At the age of seventeen 
years he came to the United States, landing 
in New York. Upon his arrival in that city 
he had just $1 in his pocket with which to 
begin life in a new country. He reached 
Wisconsin on July 1, 1847, and the following 
year came to Clark County. Here he was 
engaged in the manufacture of shingles about 
three years, and during that time saved $200. 
Then for several years he was engaged in 
the lumber camps of this State. 




Mr. Frantz was married in Jefferson Coun- 
ty, Wisconsin, November 15, 1855, to Bar, 
bara Sontag. She was born in Germany 
July 25, 1834. They are the parents of five 
children: Conrad G., George L., Harry A., 
Kudt)lph C, and one child deceased. Mr. 
Frantz is interested in educational matters, 
and i-erved four years as School Director. He 
is a member of the L O. O. F. and the Mod- 
ern Workmen. 



g|j.ILLIAM W. TAPLIN, proprietor of 
j| the Neillsville Foundry, located on 
North Hewett street, started the 
same in the spring of 1881. The size of the 
building is 24x60 and 20x90, with two 
wings for storage. The machinery is run by 
a fifteen-horse-power engine, and the shop is 
the only one of its kind in the city. His 
work is shipped throughout the State. He 
does all kinds of work, and has also done 
most of the plumbing and steaiii-titting for 
the city, employing several men, besides him- 
self, who is a first-class mechanic. 

Mr. Taplin was born in Canada, Feliruary 
14, 1845, the son of Hiram and Lucina (Clif- 
ford) Taplin, natives of Canada. The father 
was the son of Augustus and Polly (Drew) 
Taplin, natives of Vermont, who in 1790 em- 
igrated to Lower Canada, and subsequently 
removed to Oshawa, Ontario, where the 
former died at the advanced age of eighty- 
nine years. Our subject's parents are still 
living in Oshawa, Ontario, being at present 
engaged in the dairy business. They have 
four children still living: William W., Elgin 
W., a hardware merchant in Muskoka, Can- 
ada, and Oscar H., a farmer residing in Que- 
bec, and Anna Drew, of Riverside, Califor- 
nia. William W. was reared in the mills and 
carriage shops of his father, which business 



148 



BIOGRAPHICAL HiSTORT OF 



the latter followed niitil 1865. lie was a 
graduate of the High School of Canada. At 
the age of eighteen he left his native country 
and located at Detroit, Michigan, where he 
was engaged in a saw- mi 11 for a short time. 
He then went to Lucas County, Ohio, where 
he engatjed in the erection of a mill for the 
noted Captain E. B. Ward, of Detroit. In 
the spring of 1864 he visited relatives in 
Richland County, Wisconsin, returning to 
Canada. At the close of the war, he removed 
to Saginaw County, Micliigan, and there 
worked at the milling business six months. 
He next went to La Fayette, Indiana, and 
engaged in setting up machinery for manu- 
facturing baskets, visiting several cities, in- 
cluding Cincinnati, putting up machinery for 
the same business. He returned to Tippe- 
canoe County, Indiana, where he operated a 
mill for a year. In 1867 he again returned 
to Canada, being engaged with the A. S. 
Whiting Manufacturing Company for about 
one year, after which he came to Chicago, 
He was there engaged as foreman for the S. 
I. Russell Company's shop until the same 
was destroyed by lire. Mr. Taplin then ac- 
cepted the agency of the Singer sewing-ma- 
chine of that city, and acted in that capacity 
till the year 1870. 

In 1869 he was married to Miss Adella 
Rrundage, of Chicago. 

In the spring of 1870 he returned to Can- 
ada, where he was again en waited with the A. 
S. Whiting Manufacturing Company, re- 
maining there till the spring of 1871, when 
he engaged with the Chase Bros. & Bowman, 
nurserymen, of Rochester, New York, till 
the summer of 1872. Returnine to Chicago, 
he followed various occupations iintii the fall 
of 1876. Accompanied l)y two other me- 
chanics, he then went to Port Washington, 
Wisconsin, wiiere they were eugaged in the 
manufacture of sewing-machines, which busi- 




ness proved a failure. Tlie following year 
they went to Fredonia, Wisconsin, where they 
rented and operated a foundry till 1881, after 
which Mr. Taplin went to Neillsville, where 
he is still engaged in the same business. He 
held the oifice of Alderman of the First Ward 
three years, and is one of the prominent busi- 
ness men of Neillsville. 

He has a family of four children, viz.: 
May, Frank, William and Neil, all of whom 
are attending school. Politically Mr. Taplin 
affiliates with the Republican party. 



ILLIAM GERGEN was born in 
Germany, April 25, 1823. His par- 
ents with a family of four children 
came to America in 1847 and settled in Fond 
du Lac County, Wisconsin. The father died 
in that county in 1874. William was mar- 
ried in Racine County, February 5, 1856, to 
Elizabeth Bauchop, who was born in Scot- 
land in 1836. Mr. Gergen came to Clark 
County in 1868. His family at that time 
consisted of four children and live were after- 
ward born to them. They are all living at 
this writing and their names are as follows: 
W. A , Mary E , Emma J., Maggie, EI wood, 
Edwin, Grace, Alfred and Vernie. All have 
received a fair education in the district, 
schools of the county. 

In the fall of 1864 the subject of our 
sketch entered the service uf his country, en- 
listing in Company H, Thirty-lifth Wiscon- 
sin Infantry. He participated in the White 
River expedition and in the engagement at 
Fort Spanish. All throiigii the term of his 
enlistment he served with bravery and was 
honorably discharged F'ebruary 4, 1866. 

While in the army Mr. Gergen saved 
enough money to buy an eighty-acre farm 
after his return to Wisconsin. This farm, 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



149 



whicli is located in section 5, Grant Town- 
ship, iive miles northeast of Neillsville, he 
purchased in 1873. He has since improved 
it and it is now valued at $50 per acre. J^Ir. 
Gergon is regarded as one of the successful 
farmers and prominent citizens of Clark 
County. 



fO SE P II L E II N E R D, of section 25, 
Eaton Township, was born in Addison 
Township, Washington County, Wiscon- 
sin, February 8, 1854, the son of Frank 
Lehnerd, who was born in Byrne, Germany, 
June 9, 1818. He came to the United States 
in 1848, settling in Washington County, but 
now lives wi^h his son Joseph. Of his four 
children three still survive: Barbara, now 
Mrs. Meixensperger, and lives in Dodge 
County; Joseph, the subject of this sketch; 
Theresa, of Muscoda, Wisconsin. 

Joseph, our subject, was reared to farm 
life, and received his education in the com- 
mon and private schools of his native county. 
He came to this county in 1870, and first 
worked in the pineries thirteen winters on 
Black and Popple rivers, and also drove logs 
three springs. Before coming to this county 
he worked nearly a year in a saw-mill in 
White Hall and Montague, Michigan. He 
followed the wagon-maker's trade in Neills- 
ville until the spring of 1887, when he settled 
on his present farm of eighty acres, which he 
had previously puichased. He has since 
cleared twenty-five acres of this tract, and is 
engaged iti general farming and stock-raising. 

Mr. Lehnerd was married November 18, 
1884, to Sophia Esselmann, daughter of 
Clement Esselmann, of Loyal Township, 
Clark County. They have four children: 
Frank, born January 10, 1886; Joseph, 
March 27, 1887; Lawrence, March 19, 1888; 



and Edward, February 20, 1889, all of whom 
are deceased except the last named. Mr. 
and Mrs. Lehnerd are members of tiie Cath- 
olic Church, and the former is indejiendent 
in politics. 



pjOLLA. PRESTON, a farmer residing on 
^ section 35, Hixton Township, Jackson 
County, was born in Milwaukee, Wis- 
consin, May 17, 1840, and is a son of James 
and Ruby (Smith) Preston, natives of the 
State of New York. The parents were united 
in marriage in Detroit, Michigan, and in the 
year 1837 emigrated to Wisconsin, and set- 
tled in Milwaukee; in 1841 they removed to 
Racine, Wisconsin, and later went to Sheboy- 
gan. In 1861 the father came to Jackson 
County, where he passed the remainder of 
his days; his death, however, occurred in 
Madison, Dakota, November 24, 1889, while 
he was making a visit in that place. His age 
was eighty -six years; he was a carpenter by 
trade, and also followed the business of a mill- 
wright. He held many of the minor public 
offices, and was a leader in his community. 
He and his wife were member* of the Presby- 
terian Church; she died in St. Paul, Minne- 
sota, February 1, 1888, at the age of seventy- 
eight years. She was the mother of three 
children: James M., Rolla and Fannie L. 
RoUa Preston was reared in the town of 
Cascade, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, and 
in the year 1861 he came to Jackson County, 
where he has since made his home. He owns 
280 acres of land, 100 of which are in a high 
state of cultivation. In early life he followed 
the mason's and plasterer's trade, but the 
greater portion of his life has been spent in 
agricultural pursuits. 

In February, 1865, Mr. Preston joined the 
army as Corporal in Company II, Forty- 



150 



BIOGRAPHICAL nilSToRT OF 



eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and 
served until the close of tlie war. He saw 
service in Missouri and Kansas, and on the 
plains, keeping peace among the Indians. 
Tlie exposure and privations of camp life 
told upon his liealtli, and he has never fnlly 
recovered his usual strength. In liis political 
belief he affiliates with the Re]>ublican party. 
He is a member of tlie William Moore Post, 
]Slo. 92, G. A. K., at Clack River Falls. 

The first day of March, 1863, was a day 
memorable in the history of our subject, as it 
was then he wedded Miss Elizabeth R. Allen. 
Mrs. Preston was born in Elmira, New York, 
June 18, 1845, and is a daughter of Ira B 
and Mary A. (Hollenback) Allen. Her par- 
ents settled in Jackson County, Wisconsin, 
in 1855, two miles east of the town of Hix- 
ton; there they lived for many years; in 1874 
they removed to Virginia, and the father 
died there April 10, 1886, at the age of sixty- 
nine years. The mother then returned to 
Wisconsin, and died at Sechlerville, Wiscon- 
sin, June 20, 1888, at the age of sixty-six 
years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Preston have had born to 
them two children: Frank R. and Ruby A. 
Frank married Miss Lillie Downer, and they 
have one child, Nina. Ruby A. married 
Mr. Kimball Berry, a farmer residing in 
Jaskson County. 



fOHN COX, of section 12, Eaton Town- 
ship, Clark County, was born in Leeds 
County, Canada, thirty-three miles north 
of Brockwell, October 6, 1836, the son of 
George Cox, a native of Somersetshire, Eng- 
land, who came to Canada when a young 
man, where he still resides. Our subject's 
mother, uee Lucy Dowsett, is now deceased. 
They were the parents of eleven children. 



live of wiiom still survive: John, James, 
George, William and Charles. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on a 
farm, and received his education in the com- 
mon schools. He worked in the pineries 
several years in Canada, and then, in Decem- 
ber, 1867, came to this county. In Novem- 
ber, 1868, he settled on his present farm of 
forty acres, thirty of which is cleared. He 
has worked most of the winters in the piner- 
ies, and drove logs in the spring and summer, 
and has also followed the carpenter's trade. 

Mr. Cox was married in Canada, October 
25, 1862, to Elizabeth Edmunds, daughter of 
Caleb, deceased, and Jane (Andrews) Ed- 
munds. Mr. and Mrs. Cox have ten chil- 
dren, nine of whom are still living, namely: 
Olive, born May 17, 1863; Ernest, October 
11, 1864; Sarah, December 10, 1866; George, 
May 3, 1868; Frederick, January 6, 1872; 
Sidney, August 29,1873; Charlotte, August 
12, 1875; Ephraim, August 31, 1877, and 
Doretta, May 27, 1882. Olive was married 
to Daniel Stoneburg, of this city, and has 
four children, viz.: Herbert, born July 1, 
1881; Ivan, June 6, 1884; Berton, August 
29, 1886, and Joseph, June 10, 1888. 




-^ "S * 3"S ' i5" "-^ 

E. POATE, dealer in tinware, stoves, 
hardware and agricultural imple- 
* ments, Maple Works, Wisconsin, is 
a native of England. He was born March 
18, 1850. His parents, with their family, 
came to America tliirty-four years ago and 
located in Portage, Wisconsin. The subject 
of this sketch is the fourth of their ten chil- 
dren, six of whom are now living. He re- 
ceived a fair education in tlie public schools 
of Portage, and at the age of twelve years 
began to work on a farm, receiving $12 per 
month. He was subsequently employed for 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



151 



two jears on a boat on tlie Wisconsin River, 
after which he woi-]<ed in a hiinher yard in 
Portage. Some time later he engaged in 
tinsmi tiling there. He moved to Rio, and 
after condncting the Imsiness tliero two years, 
in 1873 came to Clark County. Until 1889 
he did a tinning business in Neillsville. At 
that time he moved to the enterprising little 
village of Maple Works, where lie conducts a 
large and profitable business in hardware, 
tinware, agricultural implements, etc. 

Mr. Poate was married in Neillsville, Wis- 
consin, in 1876, to Eniiiia Moulten, who was 
born thirty-six years ago. Of the three chil- 
dren born to them two are living. Mrs. 
Poate received her early education in Roches- 
ter, New York, and finished her studies at 
the Davenport University, Iowa. Mr. Poate's 
father was one of the leading contractors and 
builders in Columbia County. 

■«°» ♦< | ' !nS ' | -» " '■■ 

fRED J. VINE was born in Buffalo, New 
York, November 10, 1844, son of Mr. 
and Mr^. John Vine, natives of Sussex 
County, England, who came to America in 
1844 and located in L>ufTalo. Mr. Vine was 
the youngest of their family of four children. 
He received his education in the public 
schools of his native cit}', attending school in 
winter and working in the summer time. In 
starting out in life Mr. Vine had little or no 
capital save a willing hand and a determina- 
tion to succeed. He came to Wisconsin in 
1864 and located in Clark County, where he 
bought forty acres of land that by hard work 
lie reclaimed from the wilderness. As the 
years went by he prospered in his undertak 
inifs and is now the owner of a half section 
of land, sections 9 and 16, in Grant Town- 
8lii[i. This is located five miles from 
Neillsville. 



Mr. Vine was married in Uiiffaio, in 1864, 
to Mary Boss, who was born June 1, 1844. 
Her parents were also natives of England. 
They have seven children: Etta A., Arthur, 
Fred, Elsie, Frank, George and Edna. All 
have received a lilieral education in the dis- 
trict schools and in Neillsville, and for tiiree 
years Elsie has been a teacher. Politically 
Mr. Vine is a Democrat. He favors the 
pulilic-school system, but believes that par- 
ents should control the education of their 
children. He has been Chairman of the 
Town Board for three years, and for sixteen 
years served as Town Clerk of his town, and 
as Postmaster of Pleasant Ilidge ten years; 
he has been Secretary of the Clark County 
Fair Association, and is President of the 
Lynn Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He 
is engaged in general farming and stock-rais- 
ing, making a specialty of fine sheep, wiiich 
he imports. He is a member of the A. O. 
U. W. That he is reganled as one of the 
representative citizens of his county is at- 
tested by the fact that he is the present 
nominee of his party for the office of County 
Treasurer. 



LEXANDER SHANKS, of section la, 
Eaton Township, Clark County, was 
born in Middlesex County, Ontario, 
February 28, 1850, the son of Hugh Shanks, 
a native of Ireland. Our subject was reared 
to farm life and received his (education in the 
common schools. He came to this county in 
in 1869, where he first began work in the 
pineries, and also drove logs during the 
springs and summers. He settled on his 
present farm in 1874, which was then covered 
with heavy, hardwood timber. He owns 120 
acres, of which sixty acres is cleared, and here 
is successful as a general farmer and stock- 
raiser. 



15-3 



BIOGRAPniCAL HTSTORT OF 



Mr. Shanks was married October 6, 1872, 
to Mary Robertson, daughter of William and 
Catliarine (Shinners) Robertson, both deceased. 
Mrs. Siianks was horn in the city of Ottawa, 
Canada, February 29, 1848. Of their six 
children three are now living: David J., Pearl 
L. and Lucy M. Mr. Shanks was a member 
of the Town Board one year, Assessor one 
year, a member of the School Board seven 
years and is now Treasurer of the same. He 
is a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity, and 
both himself and wife are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, in which the 
former is a district ^steward for the Green- 
wood district. Politically lie is a Prohi- 
bitionist. 



>iEZEKIAH HUBBELL, of section 11, 
Eaton Township, Clark County, was 
born in Hastings County, Ontario, No- 
vember 5, 1848, the son of Ira and Mary A. 
(Harlow) Hubbell, both natives of Hastings 
County, and both are also about sixty-six 
years of age. Our subject was reared on a 
farm and educated in the common schools. 
He worked at the blacksmith's trade with 
his father until twenty-five years of age, and 
since tiiat time has been engaged in farm 
work mostly. He came to the United States 
in June, 1880, and worked on a farm near 
St. Paul, Minnesota, until the fall of the same 
year, when he came to this county, and in 
January, 1881, brought his family here from 
Canada. He first worked in the saw-mill of 
Thomas Miller thirteen months and eight 
days, and then settled on his present farm of 
eighty acres, twenty-three of which is cleared. 
During the winters he worked in the pineries 
on contracts, in which he was quite success- 
ful. Mr. Hubl)ell came to tiiis county with 
only $11 in cash, and has risen to liis present 
position by his own unaided eflforts. 



He was married March 4, 1873, to Melissa 
Rupert, a native of Hastings County, Ontario, 
and daughter of Leonard Rupert, a native of 
the same county. Tiiey have two children: 
Arthur S., born October 22, 1874, and Winn- 
ifred, August 7, 1876. Mr. Hubbell is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and also of the L O. O. F. and Modern 
Woodmen. 



IgqDMUJS'D MORTlBOY,an honored citi- 
zen of Jackson County, is an American 
by adoption, having been born in Wor- 
cestershire, England, May 13, 1833. His 
parents. Job and Ann (Griffiths) Mortiboy, 
were also natives of England, although the 
Mortiboys are of French descent, and the 
Griffiths are of Welsh ancestry. They emi- 
grated to America in 1855, and located in 
Winnebago County, Wisconsin, but two years 
later removed to Fond du Lac County, Wis- 
consin; there they resided until 1858, and 
then came to Jackson County, and settled on 
the land where the town of Hixton now 
stands; there they passed the remainder of 
their lives, living to a good old age. The 
father was a blacksmith by trade, and he also 
gave some attention to farming. He and his 
wife were life-long members of the Presby- 
terian Church. They iiad three children born 
to them: Edmund, Alfred and Lydia. Al 
fred joined the army as a musician in the 
Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, 
and died at Memphis, Tennessee, from dis- 
ease; Lydia is now the wife of E. B. Holmes, 
of Jackson County. 

Edmund Mortiboy grew to man's estate in 
England, and received an early training in 
his father's trade, blacksmithing. He fol- 
lowed this occupation until he was twenty- 
two years of ago, and then came to America, 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



153 



and has been identified with tlie interests of 
Jackson Count}' since the year 1859. He 
settled on the land he now owns in 1875; 
his farm consists uf 200 acres, in Ilixton 
Township, and is as gcod land as lies within 
the borders of the county; 130 acres have 
been rendered tit for cultivation, and the 
eil'orts attendant upon the task of cleai'ing 
forest lands should not he lightly estimated. 
For sixteen years Mr. Mortiboy was engaged 
in the blacksmith's trade in Sechlerville, 
Wisconsin. He abandoned this, however, for 
an agricultural life, and has made a success 
of his undertaking; he has many excellent 
improvements, and is giving his whole atten- 
tion to this pursuit. 

Politically lie is a stanch supporter of the 
Republican party, and has represented the 
people of his township in the various^ local 
ofKces. 

Mr. Mortiboy has been three times mar- 
ried: he was first united to Miss Eliza Lee, 
a native of England, by whom he had three 
children: Henry A., deceased; Frances E. 
and Kalph E. After her death he married 
Miss Catherine Vose, of Jackson County, 
Wisconsin. She was the mother of" two 
daughters: Cora M. and Edith M. She was 
called to her eternal rest, and Mr. Mortiboy 
was afterwards married to Miss Fannie M. 
Nolop, of Jackson County; five children 
were born of this marriage: Alfred G.; Jess- 
amine A., Dean, Nell and Josephine. 



■ S"I - g" -^ 



5SRAEL R. BARNUM is a man whose 
uprightness and integrity render it a 
pleasure to sketch his career and record it 
on these ])ages of the history of Jackson 
County. He was born in Shandaken, Ulster 
County, New York, July 1, 1823, and is a 
Son of Israel and Mary (Hose) Harnum, also 



natives of the State of New York. Israel 
Barnutn was a relative of the famous P. T. 
Barnnin. He came witii his wife to Wibcon- 
sin at an early day and settled in Dunn 
County, where he still resides, at the ad- 
vanced age of ninety-four years; his wife 
died in 1882, at the age of eighty-two years. 
He served as a soldier in the war of 1812; 
all his life he has been a farmer; he and his 
wife are members of the Baptist Church; 
they had born to them ten children: Israel 
R., Hiram, Jonatlian, William, Mary A., 
Zadok, Noah, Jane, Warren and Antonette. 
The eldest born, and the subject of this no- 
tice, was reared on a farm in the midst of the 
scenes of his birth, attending the common 
schools. In the year 1850 he came to Jackson 
County, hoping to make a home and accumu- 
late some property; in 18(jl he bought 200 
acres, which now comprise his farm, seventy 
acres having been placed under cultivation 
through his persevering efforts. It has been 
n« light task to clear this land from the 
wild forest, and fit it foi' the plow, and too 
much praise cannot be given to those hardy 
pioneers who have made Jackson County 
what she is to-day. 

Mr. Barnum at one ptM-iod of his life was 
engaged in a tannery, and he has also fol- 
lowed surveying, serving as County Sur- 
veyor for one term; he has been Town 
Clerk almost continuously since 1861, and 
lie has been Justice of the Peace for several 
terms. In his political faith he is a Pro- 
hibitionist. He cast his first Presidential vote 
for James K. Polk. He is a believer in 
ciiurchesand religiousdenominations,and con- 
tributes liberally to their support, although 
he is not a member of any deno nination. 

July 20, 1851, he was united in marriage 
to Miss Elizabeth Chariton. She was born 
in Middletown. Delaware County, New 
York, November 22, 1832. and is a daugh- 



154 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF 



ter of William and Saliva A. (Bivens) Chari- 
ton, natives of the Eiapire State. Mr. and 
Mrs. Barnnm are the parents of tea chil- 
dren: Sarah, Alice, Mary, Sidney, Elmer, 
lona, Lillie. Ada, Willie and Elva; Sidney, 
Alice and Mary are deceased. 






STRA FIKE, for many years a resident of 
P the State of Wisconsin, was born in ()n- 
^ tario, Canada, Aiignst 26, 1844. His 
father, Samuel Fike, was born at Fort Hope, 
Ontario, Canada, in 1809, and still lives in 
the Dominion. He is a farmer by occupation, 
and has accumulated considerable property. 
He married Ann Losey, also a native of Can- 
ada; the paternal ancestors are descended 
from the Germans, and the mother's fore- 
fathers came from Ireland and England. 
Mr. and Mrs. Fike are worthy members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Ciiurcli. They 
have had born to them eleven children: Ira, 
Sidney, Saraii, George, Adelaide, Alice, Al- 
len, Martha, Lydia, Agnes, and Carrie, de- 
ceased. 

Ira Fike was reared in his native country, 
and received the practical training of a 
farmer; he attended the common schools of 
that day, and until he was twenty years of 
age remained under the parental roof, giving 
the benefit of his labors to his fatiier. When 
he started out for himself he came to the 
United States, locating in Jefferson County, 
New York. There he followed the occupa- 
tion of fanning until there was a call for 
men to go to tlie defense of this nation; in 
1863 he enlisted in Company (}, Ninety- 
fourth New York Volunteer Infantry, as a 
private and served until peace was declared. 
He was at the taking of Petersburg, and 
in many minor engagements; was mus- 
tered out at Alexandria, Virginia, in July, 



1865, and honorably discharged. After the 
close of the war he returned to New York 
and resided in Oswego County until 1867; 
in that year he came to Wisconsin, locating 
in Adams County, where he made his home 
until 1871, coming at that time to Clark 
County, and purchasing the farm where 
he now lives; he owns 160 acres on section 
22, and 160 acres on section 26, Fremont 
Township. He has given all his time and 
attention to the cultivation of the soil, and 
in the season has been engaged to some ex- 
tent in logging. The only capital which he 
had in the beginning of his business career 
was willino; hands and a determination to win 
his sliare of this world's goods, and in this 
he has been more than snccessful. 

Mr. Fike is a Republican, and has served 
as chairman of the Town Board for nine years. 
For three years he was superintendent of the 
county poor farm, displaying unusual capa- 
pabilities in the management of this institu- 
tion, and was two years chairman of the 
County Board. He is a member of Master 
Lodge, No. 163, A. F. & A. M., and of lodge 
No. 198, I. O. O. F., and Black River Lodge, 
No. 32, A. O. U. W. 

Our subject was united in marriage April 
3, 1867, to Miss Frances C. Polmatier, of 
Oswego County, New York. She was born 
in Columbia County, New York, March 30, 
1842, and is a daughter of Elias and Re- 
becca (Simmons) Polmatier, natives of New 
York. One child has been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Fike, Samuel E., who first saw the light 
of day December 13, 1868. 

--^5^^^— 



fOHN CASTNER came to Clark County, 
Wisconsin, in 1855, and found it a wild 
and thinly settled country. He has wit- 
nessed its development and growth from its 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



155 



original state to one of liigli cultiviition, and 
lias seen it attain rank among the first coun- 
ties of the land. He was born in Seneca 
County, Ohio, July 27, 1835, and is a son of 
John and Maria (Sabens) Castuer, natives of 
New Jersey and Massacliusetts respectively. 
The parents were married in Cayuga County, 
New York, and in 1885 emigrated to Seneca 
County, Ohio, where the father died; later 
the mother moved to Steuben County, In- 
diana, where she ended her days on earth. 
John Castner, Sr., was a farmer by occupa- 
tion. Sixteen children were born to him 
and his wife, thirteen of whom lived to ina- 
t\irity: Jacob, William, Mary, Elizabeth, 
PlujL'be P., Jane, John, the subject of this 
sketch, Margaret, George, Nancy, Eliza, Car- 
oline and Stewart. 

John Castner, Jr., was reared in Seneca 
County, Ohio, and lived on a farm until he 
was twenty years of age; he spent his time 
in the occupations incident to farm life, and 
attended the common schools of that day. 
In 1855 he l)ade adieu to the parental roof 
and tlie scenes of his childhood and youth, 
and started to the West. lie came to Clark 
County, Wisconsin, and rented a farm on 
lilack lliver, and at the same time entered a 
farm on section 19, Loyal Township; in 
18G2 he disposed of this place, and removed 
to Monroe County, Wisconsin, where he 
lived until 1869; he then returned to Clark 
County, and purchased 160 acres of land, 
which he now makes his home; he has 120 
acres still in his name, having disposed of 
forty acres, and sixty-four acres are cleared. 
Starting out in life for himself without capi- 
tal, Mr. Castner is certainly deserving of 
niuch commendation for the success with 
which he has met. He has held his shan^ of 
the township ofKces, and although not a 
member of any church organization, he at- 
tends the Methodist Episcopal Church regu- 



larly and contributes generously to its 
support. Politically he adheres to the prin- 
ciples of the Republican {)arty. 

September 17, 1859. is a memorable day 
in the life of Mr. Castner, as it was then he 
was joined in marriage to Miss Lydia Mack, 
of Clark County, Wisconsin. She was born 
in the Dominion of Canada, February 1, 
1844, and is a daughter of Daniel and Mary 
(Benedict) Mack, also natives of (Canada. 
Nine cliildren have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Castner: Mary, the wife of Ernest 
Boyer; George, who married Lillian Nutting; 
Sophronia, wife of Dr. J. L. Bradtield, of 
Chicago, Illinois, and Albina, wife of Will- 
iam Dutcher; Albert, Alfred, Daniel, Frank, 
and an infant unnamed are the other mem- 
bers of the family. Mrs. Caster has been a 
member of the Methodist Church in full 
connection since 1869. 



ILLETT E. l^UliT was born August 
19, 1842, ill St. Lawrence County, 
New York. His parents, both na- 
tives of that State, are iu)W deceased. He 
attended the district schools of St. Lawrence 
County and finished his education in the 
cfraded schools of Potsdam, New York. He 
ieinaine<l with his parents until he reached 
his majority, when, in 1865, he came to Clark 
County, Wisconsin. Here young Burt found 
employment in the forests, felling ])ine for 
logs, etc., and receiving $30 a month for his 
labor. By hard work and economy he saved 
enough of his earnings with which to buy a 
half interest in a farm, which he did in the 
spring of 1869. For six years he li\cil on it 
with his brother-in-law. 

In 1872 Mr. Burt wedded Alict^ Mason, 
who was boi-n in 1848. She was educated 
l)y the private teachings of her mother, a 




156 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF 



graduate of the university at Oberlin, Ohio, 
and a lady of much culture. This union has 
been l>lessed with four children: Floy, Milan, 
Edward and Gene. Two of them are attend- 
ing the district schools of the township. 

Mr. Burt's farm is located on section 3, 
Pine Valley Township, and is two miles 
from Neillsville. When he first came to Wis- 
consin he brought with him the first sulky 
hay rake and mowing-machine that was ever 
in the county. He is a man well posted on 
general topics and is ranked among the fore- 
most farmers of the township. 



ITEPHEN M. ANDERSON, Justice of 
the Peace and School Clerk of Green- 
wood, was horn near Ottawa, (Ontario, 
June 14, 1828, the son of Elkanah Anderson 
(deceased), who was born near Oswego, New 
York, of English and Welsh ancestry. His 
father, John Anderson, came from the latter 
country, and his mother, 7iee Hannah Baker, 
from England. Our subject's mother, form- 
erly Elizabeth Hntton, was born near Lake 
Champlain, New York. Mr. and Mrs. An- 
derson had eight children, six of whom still 
survive, viz.: John, Jane, Elkanah, Joseph, 
Stephen and George C. The father had two 
children by a former marriage: liubie and 
Lorena. The parents both died in Canada. 
Stephen M. Anderson, the subject of this 
sketch, was reared on a farm, and received a 
limited education. He came to Juneau 
County, Wisconsin, in July, 1868, where he 
remained until 1870, and in that year came 
to this county, locating in what is now Green- 
wood. It was then heavy woods, there being 
but three houses on the present village site, 
and he is the eldest settler now living here. 
There were deer, l)ear and Indians all around 
him, where are now fine farms. He cleared 



a fine farm of eighty acres which joins the 
village. 

Mr. Anderson was married September 2, 
1851, to Harriet Campbell, a native of Can- 
ada, and they have ten children, eight of 
whom still survive, namely: Mary J., George 
D., Ann E., Franklin H., Victoria I., Rod- 
erick M., William C. and Mattie M. Mary 
J. married Robert Robinson, of St. Paul. 
Ann E. was married to William Johnson, of 
Eaton Township, and has one child, Rawlin 
B. Mr. Anderson is a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, and holds the offices 
of steward and trustee. He is devoted to 
the cause, and gives liberally to the support 
of the gospel. He has been chairman of 
the Town Board, and assessed the county the 
first time, when Eaton Township contained 
fourteen Congressional townships. He is 
also Town Treasurer and School Clerk, and 
has i)een Justice of the Peace eight year.<. 
Socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F., 
and politically a Republican. 



fOHN W. HUBBLE, of section 11, Eaton 
Township, was born in Rodden Town- 
ship, Ontario, June 7, 1857, a son of 
Ira and Mary A. (Harlow) Hubble, both na- 
tives of Canada. The father was a farmer, 
but a blacksmith by trade. Mr. and Mrs. 
Hubble had nine children, six of whom 
still survive, viz.: Hezekiah, Benjamin, 
Pho3be A., John W., Ira L. and George F. 

John W., our subject, was reared on a 
farm and educated in the common schools. 
He came to the United States in 1877, and 
worked in the pineries and also on a farm in 
this county until 1885. In that year he set- 
tled on his present farm of eighty acres, 
thirty-five of which is cleared. 

He was married April 22, 1886, to Mary 



CLARE AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



157 



dani^liter of Sylvester Burns, of Jackson 
County, Wisconsin, and they have two cliil- 
dreii: Harry II. and Russell O. Politically 
Mr. Hubble is a Republican, and is a success- 
ful and hard-working citizen. 



tEWIS JOHNSON, a successful fanner 
of Green Grove Township, has been a 
resident of Clark County, WisconsiTi, 
since 1881. He is a native of Norway, born 
April 26, 1849, and is a son of John Olsen, 
a native of the satne country. The paternal 
houseiiold was composed of the pai-ents and 
three children: Mary, Ole and Lewis, the 
subject of this notice. The latter was reared 
among the pine-clad hills of his native land, 
residing tliere until he was twenty years of 
age. Believing that America offered many 
advantages to the ambitious young man that 
the older countries did not afford, he deter- 
mined to emigrate to the United States, and 
seek his fortune in a strange land. Accord- 
ingly he set sail, and after landing on these 
shores, he settled in the State of New Vork; 
he remained there but a little time, however, 
removing to Fillmore County, Minnesota, 
where he worked on a farm for two years; at 
the end of this period he went to Sparta, Wis- 
consin, and was employed in a brewery, and 
on a farm. Later on he began working in 
the pineries along Black River, and followed 
this occupation fur eigiiteen consecutive 
winters. In 1881 he settled on his present 
farm, which consists of eighty acres of choice 
land, twenty of which are in a high state of 
cultivation. He has erected neat and com- 
fortable buildings, has purchased many of the 
modern farming implements, and is quite 
abreast of the times in his occupation. In 
considering the fact that he began life as a 
poor boy, with no capital excepting that with 



which nature had endowed him, he is to be 
congratulated upon the success with which 
he has met. 

In politics Mr. Johnson is connected with 
the Republican party, but is not actively en- 
gaged in its movements, fulfilliug his duties 
as a good citizen. He was reared to the faith 
of the Lutheran Church, and although he is 
not connected with any religious denomina- 
tion, he believes in their establishment and 
maintenance, and gives liberally to their sup- 
port. 

In October, 1880, Mr. Johnson was united 
in marriage to Miss Mary J. Scott, of Clark 
County, Wisconsin. She was born in Neills- 
ville, Wisconsin, and is a daughter of Robert 
Scott, Esq. 

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have had born to 
them seven children: Katie, Eugene, Lottie, 
Robert, Will)ur, Edna and Lewis, all of 
whom are living at the present time. 

— -^►^-►i^J-I'-- 



fOIIN POPE, a farmer residing on sec- 
tion 16, Grant Township, Clark County, 
was born in England, September 3, 
1833. His early educational advantages were 
limited and he attended school only one 
winter in all. Up to the age of twenty-five 
he was the eldest boy of five children, and 
was nineteen years old when he came to 
America with his parents, who remained in 
New York State a few months and then 
moved to Ohio and stayed there some two or 
three years. They ne.xt moved to Cook 
County, Illinois. The father came to Clark 
County, Wisconsin, and bought land. 

Mr. Pope, our present subject, was mar- 
ried March 21. 1859, to Harriet Benedict, a 
nativeof New York State, and they have had 
three children. John worked on a farm until 
the time of his enlistmeiit in tlu^ army, which 



158 



BIOGRAPHIOAL HISTOMY OF 



occnrred in the month of August, 1862. He 
enlisted as a private in Company E, One 
Hundred and Thirteenth Illinois Infantry, 
and during his service made some long and 
difficult marches, which broke down his con- 
stitution. He was detailed for some months 
to take care of the sick and wounded, which 
services were much appreciated by his fellow 
comrades. He was discharged at Memphis, 
Tennessee, in June, 1865, for the reason that 
his service was no longer required. Return- 
ing then to Clark County, he engaged in 
farming. He is a Republican and one of the 
prominent citizens of the township of Grant. 



t URL IN McTAGGART resides on an 
eighty-acre farm in section 12, Pine 
Valley Township, Clark County. He 
was born in Canada West, March 21, 1850, 
son of William and Nancy McTaggart, na- 
tives of England, who came to Canada when 
youno-. The subject of this sketch started 
out in life, working in the woods of Canada 
for $8 per month. In 1880 he went to Illi- 
nois where he worked for three years. In 
1884 he came to Clark County, Wisconsin, 
and bought the farm on which he now lives. 
Mr. McTaggart was married, July 18, 
1884, to Mrs. Rivers, who was born at Ban- 
gor, Maine, November 4, 1846. Her parents, 
R. L. and Mary Mains, were natives of Ire- 
land and are deceased. They settled in 
Maine in 1820, afterward moved to Canada, 
and in 1856 to Clark County, Wisconsin, as 
pioneers in a wilderness. By her first hus- 
band Mrs. McTaggart had two children: 
Delia T. and Cloy. The former, a graduate 
of the Green Bay schools, was an amiable 
young lady, and when her death occurred, 
April 1, 1889, she was mourned by a large 
circle of friends and acquaintances. Politi- 



cally Mr. McTaggart is a Republican, and 
takes an active interest in the success of his 
party. 



■"I' ^ x l ' l - 




ILLIAM FREE, of the firm of Free 
& Phillips, is engaged in manufact- 
uring mouldings, shingles, etc., on 
the corner of Seventh and Clay streets, where 
they commenced three years ago. They have 
a forty-live-horse-power engine, and employ 
from eight to twelve men. They do a gen- 
eral contracting business in building and all 
kinds of wood work. Their buildine is 45 x 
50 feet, two stories high. The firm do a 
business of $5,000 to $7,000 worth per year, 
and are among the prominent manufacturers 
of the county. 

Mr. Free was born in Quebec, Canada, 
February 2, 1856, the son of Richard and 
Jane (Parham) Free, natives of Ireland, who 
came to America before marriage. The 
father was engaged in the boot and shoe 
trade, and was also an extensive farmer. He 
sold his business in 1882 and came to Clark 
County, Wisconsin, where he was engao-ed in 
farming until his death in 1889. The mother 
is still a resident of the county. While in 
Canada the father held a number of offices; 
he was a strong Republican and highly re- 
spected. Mr. and Mrs. Free had a family of 
twelve children, eight of whom are now liv- 
ing: Thomas, Anna, Margaret, Esther, Rich- 
ard, William, Mary and John. William was 
reared on the home farm, and lived on the 
same until twenty- two years of age, having 
received a common-school education. He 
then came to Wisconsin and settled in Clark 
County, where he was engaged at the car- 
penter's trade, which business he also fol- 
lowed in this and Taylor counties. He set- 
tled permanently in this county in 1883, and 



CLASE AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



159 



since that time lias been engaged in contract- 
inir and bnildincr. He built a fine home in 
this city in 1883, on Court street, where he 
now resides. 

Mr. Free was married in 1883, to Miss 
Elizabeth Wilson, a daughter of William and 
Matilda (Sample) Wilson, natives of Canada. 
They have a fatnily of live children: William 
W., Richard P., Matilda B., Gladice J. and 
Mary Ellen. Politically Mr. Free is a Re- 
publican, and socially an Odd Fellow. He 
is a man highly respected for his enterpris- 
ing spirit and business capacity. 






jUDOLPH S. HUMMEL, of section 22, 
Warner Township, Clark County, was 
born in the village of Dorf, Brugcr 
County, Switzerland, December 25, 1837. 
Ilis mother died when he was small, and his 
father brought the family to the United 
States in 1850, locating in Cleveland, Ohio, 
where the latter died in 1852. Rudolph re- 
mained one year with his stepmother, and 
then began life for himself. He came to 
Waukesha, Wisconsin, in 1855, and thence 
to Clark County the next spring, where lie 
remained at Levi's Tavern until the fall of 
the same year. He next went to Alma Cen 
ter, Jackson County, thence to Hixon, same 
county, in 1859, and then to Black River 
Falls in the fall of 18G0, where he enlisted in 
the Union army, September, 1861, in Com- 
pany G, Sixteenth Wisconsin Volunteer In- 
fantry. He served until February, 1863, 
when he was discharged for disability, having 
received a gunshot wound in his left arm. 
He participated in the battles of Perryville, 
Bowling Green, Murfreesborough, Bridge- 
port, Tennessee, Bear Creek, Stevenson and 
others. In the fall of 1864 he re-enlisted in 
Company G, Fifth Wisconsin Volunteer In- 



fantry, and served until the close of the war. 
During this enlistment he was in the battles 
of Hatcher's Run, Petersburg, Sailor's Creek 
and others. His wound has never healed, 
and he now draws a pension. 

After the war Mr. Hummel returned to 
Black River Falls and drove a team for D. J. 
Sj)aulding several years, and in 1872 came 
to this county, where he homesteaded eighty 
acres in Beaver Township. He settled on his 
present farm in 1882, whi'-h was then cov- 
ered with heavy timber. He was married 
April 20, 1863, to Louisa H. Schermerhorn, 
who was born in Erie County, New York, 
the daughter of William Schermerhorn, de- 
ceased. Tliey have five children, three of 
whom are now living: William G., Warren 
I. and Oscar A. One son, Albertus J., died 
February 19, 1890, at the age of twenty-three 
years, and one daughtei'. Myrtle, died Octo- 
ber 21, 1886, aged seven years. William 
married Almeda Baker, and resides in this 
county. Mr. Hummel has an adopted 
daughter, Laura L. He is a member of the 
G. A. R., and both himself and wife are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Politically he is a Republican. 



'■ 0' * S *' S * ■ " -»°' 




^ILLIAM CAVES, Jr., was born in 
H| Jackson County, Wisconsin, March 
8, 1860, the son of William Caves, 
who was born in Ireland in 1844. The lat- 
ter came to this country early in life and lo- 
cated in Jackson County, where he now lives, 
and is engaged in farming. Our subject's 
mother, nee Elizabeth Covers, was l)orn in Ire- 
land in 1846, and died in Jackson County, 
Wisconsin, at the age of thirty-live years. She 
was a daughter of Henry and Mary Covers. 
Mr. and Mrs. Caves had ten children, five of 



160 



BWORAPHIGAL HISTORY OF 



whom still survive: Charles, William E., 
Mary, Euima and Effie. 

William, our subject, was reared on a farm 
and received his education in Jackson Count}'. 
In 1884 he went to work in a saw-mill, which 
lie continued until about 1886, when he was 
elected manager of the county poor farm, and 
still holds that position. He is a Democrat 
politically. He was married August 16, 
1884, to Caroline Olson, who was born in 
Albion, Wisconsin, September 9, 1862, the 
daughter uf Ole Olson, who came to this 
country in 1862 and located in Jackson 
County, Wisconsin, Albion Township, where 
he now lives and carries on general farming. 
Politically he affiliates with the Republican 
party. Mr. and Mrs. Caves have two chil- 
dren: Elizabeth and John O. 



I HESTER G. STOW, a prosperous 
51tf^ farmer residing on section 21, Loyal 
Township, was born in Washington 
County, Wisconsin, June 13, 1852. His 
parents, Lewis G. and Laura (Smith) Stow, 
were natives of Trumbull County, Ohio; the 
paternal grandparents were Chester and 
Cynthia (Ward) Stow, natives of Massachu- 
setts; the direct maternal ancestors were also 
natives of Massachusetts. Lewis G. Stow 
removed with his family to Washington 
County, Wisconsin, about the year 1848, 
and after a residence there covering several 
years, he went to Waukesha County, Wis- 
consin, where his wife died; in 1864 he made 
another change, settling in Clark County, 
where he homesteaded 160 acres of land; this 
was heavily timbered, but he cleared up a 
portion of it, and made a comfortable home, 
where he passed the remainder of his days, 
surrounded by many of the blessings of this 



life. He was highly respected by his fellow- 
townsmen, and for three years represented 
them on the township board; he was also a 
member of the county board. Politically he 
was identified with the Republican party. 
He and his wife were both faithful members 
of the Congregational Church. They reared 
a family of four children: Naomi M., Cyn- 
thia S., Charles W. and Chester G. 

Our esteemed subject was reared in Wash- 
ington County, Wisconsin, in the town of 
Hartford; he received his education in the 
common schools, and was trained to the 
occupation of a farmer; he also learned the 
carpenter's trade, but has not followed it to 
any extent. In the earlier days of California 
staging was a profitable business, and Mr. 
Stow was for two years engaged in runnino- 
a stage line from Loyal to Spencer and Green- 
wood. After his father's death he bought 
out the interest of the other heirs, and now 
owns 100 acres of land, thirty-three of which 
are cleared and in a high state of cultivation. 
He has made all the improvements, which are 
modern in style and substantial in character. 
Since purchasincr the farm he has crimen his 
sole attention to its care and cultivation, and 
has been very successful in all his under- 
takings. 

Politically he affiliates with the Republican 
party, and has held almost all of the township 
offices. He and his wife are both devoted 
church members, he belonging to the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, and she to the 
Seventh Day Adventists. 

December 23, 1875, occurred the marriage 
of Chester G. Stow and Miss Rhoda J. Ros- 
coe, of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin. 
Mrs. Stow was born in Washington County, 
Wisconsin, ill the town of Farmineton, Foi)- 
ruary 23, 1855, and is a daughter of James 
and Eliza (Finch) Roscoe, natives of the 
State of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Stow are 




QrafHi^ £^4)^^^ cy ^^^t^rrU^. 



CLARK A \D JAGKSOX COUNTIES. 



Kil 



the paruiits of tliree children: Lewis R., who 
died in infancy; Hugh F. and Edwin F. 



fAMES LIVINGSTONE, of Jackson 
County, was born in Cliicopee Falls, 
Hampden CVmiity, Massachusetts, June 
7, 1843, the son of John Livingstone, who 
was born in Dunferniline, Fileshire, Scot- 
land, May 26, 1818. June 7, 1842, he came 
to this country, locating in ILampdeii Connty, 
Massachusetts, where he followed his trade of 
weaver. After coming to the United States 
he worked in a cotton factory until 1844, 
when he went to Greenville, Connecticut, 
and was employed as a weaver of ingrain 
carpets. In 1846 lie went to Bean Dill, so 
called because heaiis was the only crop which 
could be raised there, where he was employed 
in a cloth factory. In 1848 he went to New 
Haven, and there worked for a railroad com- 
pany until the spring of 1853, when he re- 
iiiuved to Chicago, Illinois, where he ran a 
stationary engine for the Illinois Central 
liailroad Company. In April, 1857, he came 
t.) Jack.son Connty, Wisconsin, locating in 
the town of Irving, where he now owns 200 
acres in section 13, in company with his son 
James, where they are engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising. Politically he 
atKliates with the Republican party. His 
father, James Livingstone, was horn in Dun- 
fermline, Scotland, in 1785, and died in Kir- 
caldy, Scotland, in March, 1860. He was 
also a weaver hy trade, and for fifteen years 
was salesman and manager of a lar<re stock 
company. Our subject still has a tablecloth 
which his grandfather wove in 1808, with his 
name and date in the border. Mr. Livino-. 
stone was a prominent man during his life- 
time, and politically was a Chartist. There 



were two political parties in Scotland, the 



12 



Chartists and Tories. He was a member of 
the Presbyterian Church. Our subject's 
mother, nee Elizabeth Coventry, was born in 
Scotland, August 8, 1818, and died in Jack- 
son County, Wisconsin, September 17, 1886. 
She was a daughter of Andrew and Mary 
(Robinson) Coventry, both natives of Scot- 
land. The father was a damask weaver by 
occupation, and both he and his wife were 
members of the Pi'esbyterian Church. Mr. 
and Mrs. John Livingstone were the parents 
of three children: James, Mary R. and 
Thomas W. Mary died at the age of fifteen 
years, and Thomas W. at twelve years, both 
dying of diphtheria. 

The subject of this sketch, the eldest child, 
was reared and educated principally at Chi- 
cago, and when but twelve years of ao-e was 
employed as errand boy by T. B. Carter & 
Co., wholesale and retail dry-goods mer- 
chants. In 1857, he came with his father to 
Jackson County, Wisconsin, where he re- 
mained until December 26, 1863. In that 
year he enlisted at Roaring Creek in the late 
war as a private, serving in Company F, 
Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, 
Fourth Division of the Si.xteenth Army 
Corps. He participated in the battles of 
Resaca, Dallas, Chattahoochee, Atlanta and 
Bentonville, North Carolina. He was in all 
the battles of the regiment, and in 1864 they 
were 110 days under fiie. They were 
marched through Petersburg into Washincr- 
ton, where ihey were in the grand review. 
July 16, 1S65, he received his discharge at 
Louisville, Kentucky. 

In the winter of 1865 Mr. Livino-stone at- 
tended school at Gales vi lie University, and 
then went home, where he worked on the 
farm with his father. In 1868 he went to 
Chicago, where he attended the Dyrenthfurth 
Business College, and in 1869 went to work 
in the shops of the Illinois Central Railroad, 



162 



BWQRAPUrGAL HISTORT OF 



remaining there but a short time. He next 
returned to his home in Irving, iscon sin, 
wliere he now resides. Polifically he is a 
Republican, taking an active part in political 
matters, and is well informed on all the lead- 
ing issues of the day. He was Justice of the 
Peace seven years, and is now serving his 
third term as Town Clerk, and November 4, 
1890, was elected County Clerk of Jackson 
County by 368 majority. 

Mr. Livingstone was married October 10, 
1878, to Isabella McAdams, who was born in 
Allegany County, Maryland, April 10, 1857, 
the daughter of Gilbert and Jean (Thon p- 
6on) McAdams, both natives of Scotland. 
They came to this country in 1847, locating 
in Maryland, and in the spring of 1861 they 
came to Jackson County, Wisconsin, where 
they now reside. Mr. and Mrs. Livingstone 
have had five children, namely: Grace A., 
Mary E., Margaret E., Bessie, and one who 
died in infancy. 



|ICHARD BKAAT Z.— Prominent 
S among the thrifty sons of Germany that 
have sought a home in Clark County, 
Wisconsin, we find the man whose name 
heads this sketch. In 1869 he bought a quar- 
ter of section 22, Grant Township, and has 
since made this place his home. 

Mr. Braatz was born in Germany, May 17, 
1842. When quite young he came to Amer- 
ica with his parents who settled in Washing- 
ton County, Wisconsin, where he obtained 
his education. He was one of a family of six 
sons. His father's death occurred in Wash- 
ington County in 1882. When the war came 
on the subject of our sketch tendered his 
services to help save the Union. He enlisted 
in 1861, in the Second Wisconsin Battery, 
and was assigned to P'ortress Monroe. He 



was an eye-witness to the tight between the 
Monitor and the Merrimac, and battles of Nor- 
folk and Fortsmoutii, and Point Lookout, 
Maryland, which he describes as being the 
most interesting sights of his life. He was 
honoi'ably discharged in 1865. In 1873 he 
was united in marriage to Emilie Scholz, in 
Clark County, Wisconsin. Six children have 
been born to tliem. His wife's death oc- 
curred in Clark County in 1891. Mr. Braatz 
affiliates with the Republican party. 



ralCTOR IIENDRICKSON, of section 

'■'jPf 26, Warner Township, Clark County, 
was born near Christina, Finland, June 
14, 1854, the son of John and Mary (Jolin- 
son) Heudrickson, both natives of Finland, 
and both deceased. They had eleven chil- 
dren, six of whom are now living: John J., 
Erick H., Victor, Alexander, Michael and 
Axel. 

The subject of this sketch came to the 
United States in 1872, and the first summer 
was spent near Stevens' Point, Wisconsin, 
after which he came to this county, where he 
has since remained. He made his home first 
at Greenwood, and then settled on his present 
farm of eighty acres, forty-four acres of 
which he has since cleared. He has worked 
sixteen winters in the pineries, and in driv- 
ing logs during the springs and summers. 
Mr. Heudrickson began with notiiing, but by 
hard work and good management he has risen 
to his present position. He has a fine house, 
good barns, and all the other necessary out- 
buildings. 

He was married September 20, 1874, vo 
Aima Johnson, daughter of Johannes John- 
son, of Eaton Township. Of their four chil- 
dren, three still survive: John W., Maria and 
Julia. The mother died February 22, 1883, 



CLARK ASD JACKSON COUNTIES. 



1C.5 



and the f'atlier whs again married, August 15, 
1883, to Ingabor Arntzou, wlio was born in 
Trondlijein, Norway, December 25, 1864, 
the daughter of Arnt Christopherson, of 
Norway. By this union tliere were five chil- 
dren, three of whom still survive: Alfred, 
Sophia and Viola. Heligiously Mr. Hen- 
drickson is a member of the Lutheran 
Church, socially, of the A. O. U. W., and 
politically is a Republican. 






Bf ITOMAS PERRV HUNTER, one of 
-mm. the most widely and favorably knowni 
W^ farmers of Jackson County, was boi'ii 
on the banks of the Mississippi River in Ar- 
kansas, December 12, 1853. His parents, 
William and Eliza J. Hunter, are natives of 
Ireland; the motlier died in Mississippi in 
1855, and the father is now one of the repre- 
sentative farmers of Jackson County, wdiere 
he has lived since 18C0. 

TIkiiiuis Perry is the only child born who 
lived to maturity. He was but seven years 
of atje when his father removed to Jackson 
Conntj, and there he grew to man's estate, 
receiving his education in the common 
schools. Ill 1872 he went to Kane County, 
Illinois, but after one year he came back to 
Jackson County. Two years later lie went 
to Europe, and traveled extensively through 
England, Scotland and Ireland, but came 
back to America and settled on the farm 
where he has since resided. He has 260 
acres of land, 100 of which he has under 
cultivation. la the season of 1890 he raised 
1,700 bushels of small grain and 400 bushels 
of potatoes. He has given considerable at- 
tention to the raising of live-stock, and has 
met witii very good success in this line of 
farming. He has erected good, substantial 
buildings, fasliione 1 after modern styles of 



architecture, and has made many valuable 
improvements. 

In politics he has until the past year been 
identified with the Repulilican party; but in 
1890 he was nominated by the Farmers' Alli- 
ance party for Assemblyman, and made a 
strong race, but was defeated. He organized 
the Farmers' Alliance in Jackson County, 
and takes a deep interest in all their move- 
ments. He has re|)resented the people of 
his township in different ofKces, and has ex- 
iiibited unusual capacity in the discharo-e of 
his duties. In his church relations he is 
connected with the Methodist Episcopal 
society. 

Mr. Hunter was united in marriage, June 
29, 1875, to Miss Anna Taylor, a native of 
Coleraine, County Londonderry, Ireland. 
She was born April 4, 1859, and is a daugh- 
ter of William and Margaret (McFlierson) 
Taylor, natives of Ireland. Her parents 
emigrated to America in the year 1879, and 
settled in Sparta, Monroe County, Wiscon- 
sin, where they still reside. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hunter have had five chil- 
dren born to them: Eliza J., Magf^ie M., 
Edith C, Raymond L. and William T. 



••■•^«^->-< 



HRISTIAN LARSON, of section 36, 
Warner Township, Clark County, was 
liorn in Trondlijem, Norway, November 
10, 1845, the son of Lars Anderson, who 
was born in Christiania, same country, in 
1815. He was the father of four chihlren, 
three of whom are still living: Andrew, of 
Jackson County; Anthony and Christian, in 
Clark County. The father died in this 
county in 1878, and the mother now lives 
with her son, the subject of this sketch. 
Christian came to the United States in 1865, 
and first lived in Black River Falls, Wiscon- 



1U4 



BIOORAPHICAL HISTORY OF 



sin; but in 1868 came to this county with 
his father and brotiier Anthony, where they 
all kept "bach" iu their pole shanty. Mr. 
Larson has worked in the woods nearly every 
winter since he came to Clark County. He 
owns a tine farm of eighty acres, thirty-five 
of which is cleared, where he also has a shop 
in which he makes spinning-wheels, cabinet, 
scroll and bracket work. He is an enter- 
prising and public-spirited citizen. 

He was married January 1, 1873, to Mary 
Olson, who was born in Norway, the daugh- 
ter of Ole Ostenson, and they have two chil- 
dren — Mary C and Laura O. The family 
are members of the Lutheran Church, and 
the father is a Republican politically. 



■a* ii>i > * 2^ < 3 *^r^"" 



ilCHARD M. BOON, a successful farmer 
of Clark County, was born in London- 
derry, Ireland, June 25, 1835. His 
parents, Charles and Nancy Boon, with their 
family, left the Emerald Isle in 1847 and 
landed in Quebec, Canada, but settled in 
Maine. Like many of his countrymen, the 
subject of this sketch receiv^ed only a limited 
education, as much of his time was occupied 
in helping to support the large family, which 
consisted of thirteen children, including 
himself. 

In 1858 Mr. Boon was united in mariiage 
witii Miss Jane Wilson, who was born April 
5, 1845, in Canada. They were married in 
Marlow County, Province of Quebec. Their 
union has been blessed with ten children, all 
of W'hom are living excepting the eldest 
daughter, who died February 16, 1888. 
About seventeen years of Mr. Boon's life 
has been spent in the woods, where he has 
been engaged in logging, driving teams, etc. 
He came to Clark County, Wisconsin, in 
November, 1868, bought a tract of 120 acres. 



and by hard work, economy and judicious 
management cleared up a neat little farm of 
eighty acres. It is located in section 9, Pine 
Valley Township, and prior to its purchase 
by him was frequented with plenty of deer 
and other wild game. Mr. Boon is a highly 
respected citizen, and a member of the I. O. 
O. F. 






tNTHONY LARSON, of section 36, 
Warner Township, Clark County, was 
born in Trondhjem, Norway, April 20, 
1843, the son of Lars Anderson (deceased), 
a native of Christiania, same country. The 
latter was a laborer in a paper mill, also 
superintendent of the same, in Trondhjem. 
The subject of this sketch completed his 
education in his native country, and in 1860 
came to the United States, stopping tirst at 
Black River Falls, where he worked in a saw- 
mill several years, and was also engaged in 
lumbering. In 1868 he came to this county 
and settled on bis present homestead of 
eighty acres, forty of which is cleared. For 
his first I'esidence he and his brother carried 
the logs and built a round-log shanty, with 
a roof of basswood scoops, an iroiiwood pole 
chimney plastered with clay; they used 
blocks of wood for chairs. The wild animals 
were very numerous at that time, and Mr. 
Larson once shot a deer through the window 
of his cabin, early one morning while the 
remainder of the family were asleep. 

He was married in January, 1866, to Inge- 
bor Haralson, and they had ten children, all 
of whom are now living: Matilda, Harry, 
Louise, Levis, Ida, Helma, Joseph and Tina. 
Mr. Larson has worked in the pineries nearly 
every winter since coming to this county, 
and has also been engaged in logging for 
the past three winters on his own account. 



CLARK AND JACKSOV COUNTIES. 



165 



He li;is been Assessor of the town for tlie 
past six years; was a member of the T"wn 
Board one year, and lias l)euii a Clerk of the 
School District ever since hi- district was or- 
ganized. Religiously he is a member of the 
Liitlieran Chnrcli; socially, of tlio I. O. O. F. 
fraternity; and politically a Republican. 

^-♦1-^^^— ■ 

^LE PETEIiSON, of section 35, Warner 
Tovvnsliip, Clark County, was born in 
central Norway, July 14, 183G, the son 
of Peter Olson, deceased, a native of the same 
country. Olo Peterson came to the United 
States in 1873, settling in Greenwood, where 
he worked in the woods two years, and dur- 
ing that time worked on a farm in the sum- 
mers. He settled on his present farm of 
forty acres in 1875, and has since cleared the 
entire tract. 

He was married in Norway in 1863, to 
Ingebor Ingebreo-lit, and by this marriage were 
born four children, three of whom still sur- 
vive: Carl, Mary and Olive. Mary married 
Alex. Hendrickson, of this county; Olive 
married Iver Hembre, of Beaver Township. 
The mother died, and the father afterward 
married Marit Fladaas, who was born in 
Norway, and came to the United States in 
1882. Mr. Peterson is a memlter of the 
Lutheran Church, and is a Republican 
politically. 






?OHN DWYER, one of Clark County's 
substantial and reliable farmers, residing 
on section 31, York Township, was born 
near Northj)ort, Waupaca County, Wisconsin, 
September 21, 1855. He is a son of John 
H. and Catherine (Murray) Dwyer. The 
father was born in County Tipperarj, Ire- 



land, in 1821, and was brought to America 
by his parents during his infancy; they set- 
tled in Canada, and there he grew to man- 
hood ; when he first came to the United States 
he settled in Michigan, and there resided a 
number of years; in 1863 became to Black 
River Falls, Wisconsin, but a year later set- 
tled at what was then known as Weston's 
Rapids, Clark County; in two years we find 
him at Greenwood, Clark County, and soon 
afterwards on a farm in Grant Township, 
where he s|)ent the remainder of his days; his 
death occurred in 1882. He came to Wis- 
consin a poor man, and went through all the 
struggles and hardships of pioneer life, bear- 
ing his part courageously, and discharging 
his whole duty as a faithful citizen. When 
he first came to the county he traded a yoke 
of oxen for a tract of eighty acres of dense 
forest in Gi'ant Township, and this he con- 
verted into one of tlm most desirable farms in 
the county. He was a Roman Catholic in 
faith, but was not connected with tlie church. 
Politically he was a stanch Democrat. 

John Dwyer, the subject of this sketch, is 
one of a family of six children: Ann J., de- 
ceased, the wife of George Castner; Julia E., 
wife of F. O. Northrnp; Lucinda, wife of 
Williani M. Faming, a notice of whom will 
be found on another page of this volume; 
Alice, deceased, wife of Thomas Murray, and 
Franklin P. 

From his fourth year Mr. Dwyer was 
reared in Clark County, and received his edu- 
cation in the common schools. He settled 
on the farm where he now lives in 
1884; the place consists of 160 acres, well 
improved, with excellent buildings. He also 
owns 160 acres on section 33, York Town- 
ship, and 160 acres in Grant Township; is 
also part owner of two saw-mills, one in York 
and one in the town of Weston; firm name 
is Dwyer Bros. & Farning. He is a self- 



1()6 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF 



made man, liaviiig accumulated his property 
and attained his high standing in the com- 
munity through his own exertions and iiis 
integrity of character. 

roiitically he is allied with the Democratic 
party. In 1886 he was elected Sheriff of 
Clark County on his own ticket, although 
the county is strongly llepublican. He is 
a member of Lodge No. 163, A. F. and A. 
M., at Neillsville, Wisconsin, and of Lodge 
No. 198, L O. O. F.; also of lodge No. 39, 
K. of P., at Neillsviile. 

Mr. Dwyer was married July 4, 1883, to 
Miss Janie Parret, of Clark County, Wis- 
consin, a native of Fond du Lac County, 
Wisconsin, born in June, 1860. She is a 
daughter of John L. and Maria Parrett, 
natives of France and Ireland, respectively. 
Her father died a soldier in the civil war, 
and the mother still survives. 

Mr. and Mrs. Dwyer are the parents of 
two children: John M. and Jessie F. 



aWv^^OSES K. FULLER, a prosperous 
WWmf i'^'""^^'"' residing on section 26, Hix- 
^fei^^ ton Township, Jackson County, Wis- 
consin, was born in the town of Jay, (Oxford 
County, Maine, August 17, 1840. His par- 
ents. Consider and Mary (Knox) Fuller, were 
also natives of Maine. The father was born 
April 28, 1808, and the mother April 26, 
1816; both still survive, and live with our 
subject in Jackson County, Wisconsin. They 
emigrated to Illinois in the year 1844, and 
settled in Mercer County; there they re- 
mained until 1859, when they came to Jack- 
son County, Wisconsin, and settled where 
Sechlerville now stands; at the end of three 
years they removed to the farm now occupied 
by Moses K. Fuller. There were thirteen 
children in the family: Azubah, Caroline, 



Moses K., Amanda, Adelia A., Susana, 
Hiram, Almeda, Eleanora and Benjamin 
gi'ew to maturity. The father was married 
first to Miss Azubah Caswil, of Maine, by 
whom he had one child, Mary Jane. 

Moses K. grew to manhood on a farm in 
Illinois, and passed his youth in the occupa- 
tions incident to the clearing and cultivation 
of a wild tract of land. In was in 1860 that 
he came to Jackson County, Wisconsin. 
Four years later we find him enlisted as a 
private in Company I, Fourteenth Wisconsin 
Volunteer Infantry. He served until the 
declaration of peace as a soldier in the West- 
ern army under Cereral Sherman. He was 
in the battles of Resaca, Altoona Pass, Keii- 
esaw Mountain, Atlanta, Nashville and 
Franklin. He was never wounded or taken 
prisoner, but owing to exposure and privation 
he lost his health, and is now liberally pen- 
sioned by the Government. He was honor- 
ably discharged October 19, 1865, at Mobile, 
Alabama. He then returned to Jackson 
County, where he resumed the more peace- 
ful pursuit of agriculture. He owns 120 
acres of land in Hixton Township, and by 
energy and good management he has placed 
eighty acres under good cultivation. The 
people of the township have testified to the 
confidence they have in Mr. Fuller by call- 
ing him to fill the various local offices; he 
has ever proved worthy of the trust reposed 
in him. Politically he is identified with 
the Republican party. He is a member of 
the P. C. Judkins Post, No* 87, at Alma 
Center, Wisconsin. 

Mr. Fuller was joined in marriage March 
17, 1867, to Miss Elizabeth A. Brown, of 
Black River Falls, Wisconsin. Mrs. Fuller 
was born at Kalamazoo Michigan, December 
8, 1848, and is a daughter of Elijah B. and 
Lucinda (OveracUer) f'rown. Eleven chil- 
dren are the truit of this union: Harris, Els- 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



1G7 



wortli, Ruth, Ernest, Susan B., Consiiler, 
Elijah. Laura L. and Moses P.; Erne-it, Laura 
and tliree infants are deceased. Ruth mar- 
ried William Halt'urd, of Jackson County, 
Wisconsin. Mrs. Fuller passed from this 
life to her eternal rest October 7, 1890, 
deeply mourned hy her family and a large 
circle of acquaintances. 



fOIIN SYTII, of Elton Township, Clark 
County, was born in Middlesex County, 
Can ida, September 22, 1836, the son of 
John, deceased, and Keturali (fludgson) Syth, 
both natives of Hull, England, who came to 
Canada about the year 1835. They had six 
children, three of whom still sii'-vive: Thomas, 
Johti and James. The deceased — Robert, 
Jane and Elizabeth — all reached maturity. 

John Syth, our subject, learned the carpen- 
ter's trade when a young man, and has worked 
at it more or less ever since, having built 
most of the frame houses in his neifflibor- 
hood. lie came to the United States in 
1871, an! the same year settled on his ])res- 
ent farm of 2-40 acres, sixty of which is 
cleared. It was then covered with heavy 
timber, and he had to clear a sufficient s])ace 
to build his cabin. He now hasa good frame 
dwellincr 18 x 26 feet, one and a half stories 
high, with an L 16 x 24 feet, one story. He 
has also two trood barns, one of which is 32 x 
46 feet, with eighteen-feet posts, and tlie 
other 80 x 44, sixteenfeet posts, besides other 
buildings, sheds, etc. He is engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising, having a 
hig'i grade of Ilolstein cattle, pure Leicester- 
shire sheep and good horses. He has one 
imported horse, half Ilambletonian and half 
French. 

Mr. Syth was married, July 5, 1860, to 
Isabelle Kennedy, a daughter of George and 



Mary (Brow.i) Keiineily, b ith deceased. 
Tney had seven children: Grace, Mary, Mar- 
garet, Isabella, James, George and Sarah 
Elizaheth. Mr. and Mrs. Syth have had live 
children, three of whom are now living: John 
W., Robert H. and William A. Mr. Syth 
has Iteen Town Treasurer two years, Chair- 
man of the Boanl of Supervisors one year and 
J ustice of the Peace one term. Socially he is a 
member of the I. O. O. F., and religiously a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 
which he has been a steward several years, 
and is now superintendent of the Sunday- 
schot)l at McMahon's Corners. His two sons, 
John and Robert, are working on the railroad 
which is being built to Greenwood. Polit- 
ically Mr. Syth affiliates with the Prohibi- 
tionist party. 



i|«|TLLIAM H. HILTOX, a highly re- 
jjff/tvl'l spected meml)er of the farinincr 
i-^Jl^ community of Loyal Township, is 
the subject of the followitig biographical no- 
tice. He was born in Holton, Maine, Janu- 
ary 13, 1841, and is a son of Silas and PoUie 
(Ayer) Hilton, natives of Maine. They emi- 
grated to the West when Ohio was on the 
frontier, and settled in Defiance County; 
there they resided until 1865, when they de- 
cided to push on farther toA'ards the"s3ttino' 
sun." They located this time in Trempealeau 
County, Wisconsin, where the father passed 
the remainder of his days; the mother still 
survives. Mr. Hilton was a stone and brick 
mason by trade, and followed this occupation 
the most of his life. He and his wife were 
honored members of the Cniversalist Church. 
They reared a family of four children: Henry 
M., John, William H. and Silas. 

William H. Hilton passed his early child- 
hood and youth in Defiance County, Ohio, 



1G8 



BTOGRAPniCAL HISTORY OF 



wliere he receivt'd his education. At the age 
of sixteen years he started out in the world 
t'cir liimself, eoing to La Crosse, Wisconsin, 
where he at once engaged in tlie lumber busi- 
ness; since that time he has given the greater 
portion of his time and energies to this great 
industry. In 1873 he purchased a tract of 
eighty acres of tine farm land, fifty-three 
acres of which are cleared and under cultiva- 
tion. He has erected roomy and substantial 
buildings, and has made many modern im- 
provements. The place has an air of neat- 
ness and prosperity wliich index the character 
of the owner. 

Mr. Hilton is a member of the I. 0. O. F. 
Lodge, No. 181, at Greenwood, and of the 
G. A. R. Post at Loyal. In the beginning 
of the late war, August 8, 18G1, he enlisted 
as a private in Company A, First Battalion, 
Sixteenth United States Infantry, and served 
until June 13, 18G3, when lie was honorably 
discharged on account of disability, having 
received a gun-shot wound in the thigh at 
the battle of Stone River. He participated 
in the battles of Shiloh, Stone River and 
Perryville. He escaped being taken prisoner, 
and was wounded but the one time. 

April 18, 1873, he was joined in marriage 
to Miss Elizabeth Mack, a native of the Do- 
minion of Canada, and a daughter of Erastus 
and Maria (Hughs) Mack. Three children 
have been born of this union: Mark R., Cul- 
len R. and William H., Jr. 



»^dlBENEZER BORDEN, now a resident of 
Clark County, first came to Wisconsin 
in the year 1849, and has during all the 
years since that time witnessed many wonder 
ful changes. He is a native of Addison 
County. Vermont, born November 20, 1827. 
His parents, Nathaniel and Susan (Rice) 



Borden, were natives of (/onnecticut and 
Massachusetts respectively, they were mai'- 
ried in Vermont and there lived and died. 
The father was a soldier in the war of 1812; 
for many years he was employed in the lum- 
ber regions of New England, and afterward 
took up farming; at one time he was engaged 
in the mercantile trade at Huntington, Ver- 
mont. The fatnily consisted of three chil- 
dren: Nathaniel, Ebenezer, of whom this 
notice is written, and Rachel. 

The second son was reared in Franklin and 
Chittenden counties, Vermont; he had the 
misfortune to lose his father when but six 
years old, so at this tender age he was thrown 
upon his own resources. Therefore his edu- 
cation was limited, but by the cultivation of 
a naturally keen observation he has acquired 
a fund of information that enables him to at- 
tend to his business with more than ordinary 
intelligence. As before stated, he came to 
Wisconsin in 1849; he spent a few months 
at Madison, and then went to the Wisconsin 
River and engaged in logging for a season; 
the two years following he was employed on 
a farm in Dodge County, Wisconsin, and at 
the end of that time he returned to Vermont; 
but two years later we find him in Dodo-e 
County, Wisconsin, again, where he remained 
two years; his next place of residence was in 
Jackson County, AVisconsin, wliere he was 
farming for a few years. In 1861 he removed 
to the place where he now makes his hoine; 
he bought 160 acres and has about sixty 
cleared and under cultivation. He has done 
all the improving himself, and all the sur- 
roundings bespeak his wise management and 
good judgment. 

In 1864, when there was still a call for 
men to go to the aid of the Union, Mr. Bor- 
den abandoned his pursuits at home, and en- 
listed as a private in Company I, Third Wis- 
consin Volunteer Infantry, and served aiiout 



VLABK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



169 



eleven montlis. At the close of the war lie 
was lionoraMy di.-;clmrgetl at Washinfrtoii, 
District of Coiuinbia. Politically he believes 
in the principles of tlie Republican party. 

Mr. Borden was uniteil in the holy bonds 
of wedlock, October 28, 1857, to Miss Cath- 
erine Haflock, of Jackson County, "Wisconsin. 
She was born in Canada, May 28, 1838, and 
is a daufjliter of William P>. and Anna (Steven- 
son) Hallock. Eleven children have been 
born of tin's union: William N., Wyatt B., 
Ruth A., Herbert G., Norman A., Marion L., 
Myra L., EdnaM., Watson J., deceased, Lill- 
ian D., deceaseil, and Elorence K. 



. .♦^u+^^i-?n5^.^ -M^ 



f't WOODS COLBURN is ranked among 
the pioneers of Lewis Township, Clark 
" County. Ue was born in Vermont, 
June 3, 1820, and received his early educa- 
tion in that State. When only si.x years old 
his fatlier died, and while quite young was 
tlirown upon his own resources. 

Mr. ColI)urn came to Clark County, Wis- 
consin, in 18G1, and engaged in saw-mill 
work for several years. He has cleared up 
many acres of wild land both for himself and 
for others, and by his well directed efforts 
and econoTuy has secured a competency. He 
has a nice farm located in section 1, Lewis 
Township, five miles from Neillsville, which 
is well improved. Mr. Colburn was married 
forty-three years ago, to Elizabetli Blaylock. 
Their four children have all received a good 
education. One is deceased. His ancestors 
and also those of his wife originally came from 
Scotland and Ireland. Mr. Colburn was 
School Clerk of the township three years, 
School Treasurer four years and T^vn Treas- 
urer for seven years. By all who know him 

he is regarded as a useful and upricjht citi- 
es I o 

zen. In speaking of his early experience. 



Mr. Colburn remarked that the first team he 
e\er owned was a pair of oxen that he bought 
on credit and paid for in full by hard work. 



-+.r'-^:- 



kORRIS S. MARKHAM, of section 
nv/tIR 17, Warner Townshi]i, Clark County, 
^i^- was born near Troy, Pennsylvania,- 
December 18, 1823, the son of Curtis (de- 
ceased) and Sally Markham. The latter, a 
native of Oneida County, New York, woi-ked 
in a paper mill in that State when a girl. 
They were the parents of thirteen children, 
Morris and Curtis being the only two boys. 
After the father's death the mother married 
Orlando Seymour, and by this union there 
were eleven children, of whom several are 
UdW deceased. Mr. Markham returned with 
his mother and step-father to Wayne County, 
New York, when in his sixth year, and was 
brought up on a farm. He removed to La 
I'orte CiMinty, Indiana, in 1844, and in 1846 
returned to New York, where he helped his 
father and mutlier to get ready to move to 
Indiana. lie next went to the vicinity of 
Cedar Falls, Iowa, in the autumn of 1857, 
and thence to Spirit Lake the next fall. When 
the great Indian massacre occurred there the 
next spring, he was out hunting his cattle, 
and when he returned nearly all the members 
of the nine families had been murdered and 
the others taken prisoners! He rettiriiod the 
next day to Mud Lake, which he reached 
after dark, and fearing the Indians were lurk- 
ing around he went back a few rods, duo- a 
hole in the snow, and staid there that nio-ht. 
The next morning he returned to the settle- 
ment, where he had found his oxen, and 
spread the news. He suffered from hunger, 
fatigue and sickness, and the settlers kept 
him over night, and the next morning they 
all left for Springfield, Minnesota, where tw'o 



170 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF 



settlers were then livincr. They met more 
men, and all went to the Irish colony, twenty- 
five miles distant, where they gathered to- 
gether to punish the Indians, but the adjoin- 
ing settlers would nut assist, and the project 
was abandoned, as the few willing trappers 
were too weak in numbers. This occurred 
near Springfield, Minnesota, and it was the 
settlers of that village who refused to assist, 
and did not believe Mr. Markham's story. A 
few days after reaching Springfield, a boy 
came in one evening and said he saw some- 
thing on the prairie near which made queer 
motions. Most of the men ran out, and a 
volley from the Indians in ambush killed the 
boy and wounded two or three others. The 
Indians then attempted to enter the house, 
but were repulsed. Shortly afterward a small 
boy again came from a neighboring settle 
ment and reported his parents and the family 
killed. The men and women wanted to leave 
this place, but no one would go out and yoke 
up the oxen but Mr. Markham, who loaded 
women, children and wounded men in the 
sleigh, and traveled until midnight, stopping 
on the prairie until morning, when they con- 
tinued to Mr. Granger's, a settlement near 
Mud Lake, arriving at 3 p. m. They remained 
until morning, when Mr. Granger added an- 
other team of oxen, sled and horse, provisions, 
etc., joined the party, and all started for Fort 
Dodge. About 10 o'clock they saw what 
they supposed to be about 1,000 Indians, 
about two miles ahead of them, who stopped 
and seemed to be parleying. The fleeing 
party stopped, and their captain, Bradshaw, 
attempted to run, but was stopped by Mr. 
Markham, who told him if he ran he would 
shoot him. The latter took his gun and 
started to see who they were, and upon meet- 
ing they were overjoyed to learn who they 
were: they were volunteers coming to the re- 
lief of the settlers. 



Mr. Markham went to F'ort Dodge, where 
the citizens donated him money and clothes 
for his bravery. He subsequently returned 
to Spirit Lake, made a settlement and re- 
mained until July, same year, when he sold 
his claim for $300, and went to Grundy 
County, Missouri. August 11, 1859, he 
married Minerva Wade, daughter of John 
Wade, deceased. During the war he removed 
to Indiana, and later he and others came to 
Wisconsin, where they hunted and trapped a 
short time. Mr. Markham then brought his 
family to Sauk County, this State, and to 
Clark County in 1866, which was then a dense 
woods. He killed many deer, and often hired 
Indians to tan the hides for him. Mr. and 
Mrs. Markham have had eight children, six 
of whom are now living, namely: Samuel, 
Julia, Amasa, John, Mary and Minnie. Julia 
married Emanuel Lewis, of Hemlock, this 
county, and they have one child, Mollie R. 
Mr. Markham was elected School Treasurer, 
and was Chairman of the Town Board a few 
years; politically he is a Republican. 

~«-«»|*J»-tf*|^— <- 



A. NEFF, a farmer residing on section 
1, Lewis Township, was born in Jeffer- 
' son County, Wisconsin, June 18,1851, 
son of A. L. and Mary Neff. He was edu- 
cated in the district schools of Jefferson 
County, and at the early age of thirteen years 
begai to show a spirit of independence by 
working out on farms. At first he received 
only $8 per month, but his wages were 
gradually increased. In 1868 he came to 
Clark County, where he has since made his 
home. He has had many years of experience 
in the lumber camps, working for himself 
and others, and in that way accumulated a 
little start. In 1872 he bought his present 
farm in Lewis Township, which consists o 



CLARK AMD JACKSON COUNTIES. 



171 



160 acres. By tlie expenditure of much time 
and liard labor lie has cleared his land and 
has it under a fine state of cultivation. He 
is regarded as one of the enterprising citizens 
of the township; he is a Republican and 
takes an active part in politics. 

Mr. Neff was married, July 11, 1878, to 
Agni's Carter, wlio was horn in Jefferson 
County, Wisconsin, in 1853. She attended 
school in Minnesota, is well educated, and 
taught several terms before her marriage. 
She is a lady of much culture and retine- 
nieiit and is fond of reading. Three children 
have been born to them. Mr. Neff has been 
Town Treasurer two years, Sciiool Trustee for 
eight years, and Chairman one term. He is 
the present Constable of Lewis Township. 



(URTIS MARKIIAM, one of the pio- 
p. neers of section 20, Warner Township, 
was l)orn in Oneida County, New York, 
February 2, 1822, the son of Curtis Mark- 
iiani (deceased), a native of the same State. 
Tlie father died when Curtis was eightet^n 
monlhs[^old, and they, desiring to keep up the 
family name, changed his name from Amasa 
to Curtis. lie was then taken, at his father's 
dying re(iuest, by his grandfatlxM-, Samuel 
Markham, with whom he remained until thir- 
teen years old, or until the hitter's death. He 
■\vas then thrown upon the cliarities of a cold 
world, and, seeing other children reveling in 
home luxury, with a father and mother to 
look after their wants, he became heartsick, 
and once wejit bitterly at his lonely condition. 
His mother had married again, and removed 
to Pennsylvania. Mr. Markham had but one 
brother, Morris, by his mother's first mar- 
riage. The former came to Thornton, Illi- 
nois, in 1850, and in a few weeks removed to 
Porter County, Indiana, where he livod until 



March, 1868. lie then came to this county 
and in 1869 settled on his present place of 
eighty acres, forty-two of which is cleared. 

He was married in Wayne County, New 
York, June 1, 1845, to Sarah Mitchell, born 
in Perrington, New York, November 19, 
1823, the daughter of Edward Mitchell, de- 
ceased. Of their eight children, only two 
are now living: Amasa C. and Harriet A. 
The latter married William Langley, of Lake 
County, Indiana, and has five children, 
namely: Alice M., Eleanora F., Georgia A., 
Harrison B. and Mattie. Mr. Markham's 
eldest daughter, now deceased, married 
George Morris, who subsequently died, 
leaving two children: Bessie A. and Haven 
P. She was again married, to William Mc- 
Mullen, and they had two children, onlv one 
of whom is still living, George W. Mr. 
Markham lost another grown daughter, Ju- 
lia P., who died at tlie age of twenty-one 
years. His granddaughter, Bessie A. Morse, 
married Arthur Sischo, of this town. 

Mr. Markham was a soldier in the late war, 
in Company A, Thirty-fifth Regiment Wis- 
consin Volunteer Infantry, serving nearly a 
year. He was assigned to tlie Pontoon 
Bridge Brigade, but was taken sick and lay 
several weeks in the hospital. He was then 
detailed as a nurse, and served until the close 
of the war. He was disabled in the army, 
and will soon draw a pension. He is a Re- 
publican politically and a member "f the G. 
A. R. Post, and also of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. 

(i< ^ - ^ 
-•o*~.|.^.-.i"+-4 -.— . +H^ K,*- 

'.)■•>■;»; 

UGUSTA RAETHER, widow of Au- 
gust Raether, was born in Prussia in 
1828. She was married to Mr. Raether 
in 1847. and came to America in 1850, land- 
ing in IMilwaukee the same year. Her hus- 



173 



BIOORAPHTGAL BISTORT OF 



band learned the tailor's trade in the old 
country and was a hard-working man all his 
life. After coming to the United States he 
followed his trade in Milwaukee for a num- 
ber of years. Mrs. Raether became fiuniliar 
with that ti-ade and rendered efficient service 
to her liusband. Ten cliildren were born to 
them, all of whom have received a fair edu- 
cation in the district schools and in the 
Milwaukee graded schools. Mr. and Mrs. 
Kaether moved to Waukesha, County, Wis- 
consin, in 1861, where tliey engaged in farm- 
ing. In 1878 they came to Clark County 
and bought 180 acres of land in section 2, 
Lewis Township, about forty acres of which 
they have cleared. Mrs. Raether was an in- 
valid for some five years and passed through 
many hardsliips, but by industry and econ- 
omy she and her husband laid the foundation 
of a nice little fortune. Mr. Raether re- 
ceived a stroke of paralysis, was entirely 
helpless for a long time and finally died in 
1889. She and her son and a single daugh- 
ter reside on the farm. Mrs. Raether is a 
most estimable lady and is esteemed by all 
who know hei'. 



IS^NUD ANDERSON, Je., of section 15, 
Warner Township, Clark County, was 
born in Telleraarkn County, South- 
eastern Norway, November 20, 1828, the 
son of Adney Anderson, deceased. The 
father brought his family to the United 
States in 1843, settling in Norway Township, 
Racine County, Wisconsin, where he died in 
1845. The family then came to Jackson 
County, in 1854, settling in Springfield 
Township, where the mother died in 1878. 
Tliey had seven children, all now living, 
namely: Knud, Sr., Gunder, Ole, Mary, 
Knud, Jr., Margaret and Sarah. 



While in Jackson County, Knud Anderson, 
Jr., first worked at carpentering, and then at 
farming. In 1869 he removed to La Crosse, 
where he kept a tavern one year, and in 1870 
came to this county and took up a homestead 
on section 18, township 27, range 1 east, 
where he lived five years. He next lived on 
Giles Creek four years, after which he worked 
in Tom Miller's mill. He came to his pres- 
ent place, Hemlock, in 1879, where he has 
been night watchman on the fiood dam, and 
also ran the plane in tiie Hemlock Mills. 
He now has charge of the Hemlock flood 
dam for the Black River Improvement Com- 
pany. Mr. Anderson has also been engaged 
some at carpentering in this county. 

He was married in June, 1859, to Thea 
Burch, who was born near Christiania, Nor- 
way, the daughter of Torger Burch, deceased. 
They have had fifteen children, twelve of 
whom are still living, namely: Clara T., 
Adolph, Augusta, Laura, Millie, Nellie, Fer- 
nando, Geoi-giana, Birdie, W. Lee, Sadie and 
Frankie. Clara married James Rowe, of 
Calumet, Michigan, and has one child, Win- 
nifred P. Adolph, a merchant at Greenwood, 
married Mary Francis, and has one child, 
George. Augusta married Albert Huggett, 
of Melrose, Jackson County, and has one 
child also, — Ralph. Mr. Anderson is a Re- 
publican politically. 



^USTACE L. BROCKWAY, a promi- 
nent pioneer lumberman of Brockway 
Township, Jackson County, was born 
in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, January 
20, 1826, the son of James M. Brockway, 
who was born in Greenbush, New York, 
July 15, 1797. In 1816 the latter went to 
Pennsylvania, where he engaged in farming 
until 1822, when he went into the mill busi- 



CLAliK AJUD JACKtiON COUNTIES. 



173 



ness. Ill 1836 he sold the mill, and in 1842 
went to Muscatine County, luwa, wliere lie 
was engaged in farming until his death, 
which occnrred in liis seventy-fifth year. 
During his later life he was a Republican, 
and held several ofKces. lie was a ineniber 
of the Methodist Church. Our subject's 
mother, Lydia (Goff) Brockway, was born 
near Ogdeiisburg, New York, in 1804, and 
died ill Muscatine County, Iowa, at the age 
of forty-nine. She was a daughter of Will- 
iam P. Goff, a native of New York, and a 
fanner and surveyor by occupation. Mr. and 
Mrs. Brockway had eight children, namely: 
Elmira, Eustace L., Adis E., Emmett, Albert 
J., Edwin, Albina M. and George. The last 
two are deceased. 

The subject of this sketch, the second 
child, was reared and educated in .Jefferson 
County, Pennsylvania. In 1843 he engaged 
ill bridge-building and carjientcr work in 
different parts of Iowa. In 1845 he came 
to Jackson County, Wisconsin Territory, then 
called Crawford County, and engaged in the 
lumber business; in lS47-'48 he cut timber 
for a saw-mill; and in May, 1850, built an 
addition and put in the first circular saw-mill 
on the Mississippi above Rock Island, Illi- 
nois. He has resided in the town of Albion 
(now Brockway) since 1845, — forty-six years. 

As an interesting reminiscence wo may re- 
late that Mr. Brockway in 180(5, late in the 
fall, went down tiie Mississippi, with two 
tieets of sawed lumber, but failed to sell it 
until all tlie steamboats iiad made tlieir last 
trips. lie purchased a sterii-weeler named 
the Skipper, of 150 tons' burden, at $3,000, 
loaded it with his crew of sixty men and 
winter's supplies and started up tlu^ river, but 
was compelled to stop at Muscatine, Decem- 
ber 8, on account of floating ice and winter 
storms. Shipping his men and a portion of 
the winter's supplies by rail by way of Chi- 



cago and Milwaukee to the terminus of 
tlie road, he came directly home by team, at 
an expense of $15. 

He owned and ran his steamboat on the 
Mississippi, Des Moines, Chippewa and St. 
Croix rivers until the autumn of 1868, when 
it sank in the Chippewa River. Diirinc the 
ensuing winter he built the steamer Chip- 
pewa Valley, at Eau Claire, in company with 
Captain George A. Buttington, — a boat of 185 
tons, — and retained an interest in it wliile it 
was run, on the Mississippi and its northern 
tributaries, until the second year of the war, 
when he sold his interest in it. It was taken 
South and soon afterward sunk in the Arkan- 
sas River above Little Rock. Since his resi- 
dence in Jackson County Mr Brockway has 
also built and owned four different saw-mills 
in this part of Wisconsin. 

In 1871-'72 he was one of the Representa- 
tives in the Legislature from his district, 
then Jackson and Clark counties. lie is 
now holding the office of County Surveyor. 
Politically he is a Republican. 

Mr. Brockway was married, October 18, 
184y, to Miss Sarah A. Riggs, who was born 
in Hamilton County, Ohio, January 28, 1832, 
the daughter of David and Katherine (Hen- 
dricks) Riggs, the former a native of JSJew 
York, and the latter of Pennsylvania, but 
both emigrated to Ohio in early life. Tlie 
father was a farmer by occupation, and held 
several township offices. Mr. and Mrs. Brock- 
way have had seven children, viz.: Melvin P., 
Ada M., Mary E., Albert M., La Fayette J., 
Fred R. and Judsoii W., all of whom aro 
liviiio;. 

The history of the Brockway family is as 
follows: III the early days in the history of 
the country seven brothers by the name of 
Brockway settled in Ccnnecticut. They came 
from England, and it is thought that most of 
the men now in the countiy by that name 



174 



BIOORAPHICAL BISTORT OF 



are descendants of these. Our subject's 
grandmother Brockway was a direct descend- 
ant of Captain Miles Staiidish, who came 
over on the Mayflower in 1620. The lineal 
descent of his mother's father, William Pot- 
ter Goff, was a general in the English army 
under Oliver Cromwell, and was one of the 
judges wlio, appointed by Parliament for 
tliat purpose in 1649, tried, convicted and 
sentenced to execution Kinp; Charles I, for 
tyranny and treason. GofF fled from Eng- 
land to this country in 16G0, to escape the 
fate of the beheaded king, at the hands of 
Charles II, who had just gained accession to 
the throne. Here he had to remain in con- 
cealment for several years. A peculiar co- 
incidence in tiie Brockway family is the fact 
tiiat E. L. Brockway has five boys and two 
girls, and lie is himself one of a family of 
live l)oys and two girls, as was also his father. 
Mr. Brockway, our subject, is one of the 
very early settlers here, and was at one time 
quite wealthy. He is now a very popular 
man in the county. 



— —— ' a, ' S"; ' ^ '« - ~< — 

;lv^p|fILLIAM DOUSE, who resides on a 
%\l'}\ja ^^'"'^ i° section 21, Grant Township, 

[•"sjl^ was born in Winslow, Maine, June 
16, 1837. He received a fair education in 
his native State, and came West in 1861. 
He was married in Salem, Massachusetts, to 
an Irish lady. Miss Ann Dulfa, by whom he 
has one child, Nellie M., who has been liber- 
ally educated in the district schools, and is 
ujarried to Mr. W. W. Paae. 

Mr. Douse has been a hard-workins man 
all his life. He was engaged in farming 
prior to his enlistment in the army, and after 
his return he continued that occupation, 
which he has since followed. During the 
war he served in Company A, Eighteenth 



Wisconsin Infantry; was in the battle of 
Kingston and in the campaign through 
North Carolina and Virginia. He was lion- 
orably discharged in 1865. Mr. Douse aflili- 
ates with the Republican party. 



IIARLES C. MILES is one of the in- 
dustrious and progressive farmers of 
Sherman Township, and ranks among 
the most reliable men of the community. 
He was born in Dane County, Wisconsin, 
June 23, 1847, and is a sou of Samuel J. 
and Sarah (Burch) Miles, natives of Penn- 
sylvania and New York respectively. The 
parents were united in marriage in the State 
of Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Dane 
County, Wisconsin, in the year 1846, where 
they still reside. They have lived to see 
great changes in the country, and are de- 
serving of all the praise due the pioneers of 
any section of the land. It is indeed no 
small undertaking to convert a dense forest 
into a highly cultivated farm, and those 
early settlers were brave and determined 
souls, else civilization would never have at- 
tained the high state wluch it has reached. 
Samuel J. Miles is identified with the Demo- 
cratic party, and is a citizen of sterling 
merit. 

Charles C. is the fourth child of the latter, 
and grew to manhood on a farm in his native 
county. He received his education in the 
common schools, and was trained to the best 
methods of agriculture. He remained with 
his father, assisting him with his work, until 
he was twenty-one years of age. 

In February, 1864, he responded to the 
call for men to come to the defense of this 
beloved country of ours, enlisting as a private 
in Company E, Eighth Wisconsin Volunteer 
Infantry, and serving until September 5, 



CLARK AND JACKSON COL' J^ TIES. 



175 



1865. He was honorably discharged at 
Deiiiopolis, Alaljama, when lie returned to 
the more peaceful pursuit of agriculture. 
While in the service he was twice wounded. 

It was not until the year 1869 that Mr. 
Miles removed to Clark County. He home- 
steaded 120 acres on section 26, Sherman 
Township, and now owns 160 acres, thirty of 
which are cleared and under cultivation. 
Althonsrh he began life for himself without 
capital, he has accumulated a good property. 
During the summer season he runs a steam 
thresher, and finds it a jirofitable occupation. 
In the winter time he devotes his time to 
logging. Politically he affiliates with the 
Democratic party, and fraternally with the 
I. O. O. F. 

Mr. Miles was joined in wedlock May 1, 
1872, to Miss Gertrude Leatherdale, of Clark 
County, Wisconsin. Mrs. Miles was born in 
Adams County, Wisconsin, July 4, 1855, and 
is a daughter of Luke and Frances (Allerton) 
Leatherdale. Four children have been born 
of this Union: Herald C, Mabel G., Kay C. 
and Frances G. 



jANIEL SPENCER, superintendent of 
the D. J. Spauldiiig farm, section 22, 
Warner Township, Clark County, was 
born in Martinsburg, Lewis County, New 
York, January 16, 1841, the son of Alvin 
and Barbara (Yousey) Spencer; the former 
was also born in Martinsburg, June 28, 1816, 
and the latter in Germany, August 15, 1820, 
but came to the United States when eighteen 
years of age. They were the parents of nine 
children, all of whom are now living, namely: 
Daniel, Lewis, Thomas, Henry, Lucetta, Etta, 
Charles M., Levina and Alvin. All are mar- 
ried and have families. The parents cele- 
brated their golden wedding May 3, 1890. 



The subject of this sketch was reared to 
farm life and educated in the common- 
schools. He was a soldier in the late war in 
Company H, Thirteenth New York Heavy 
Artillery. He enlisted December 28, 1863, 
and was discharged in August 1865. He as- 
sisted in the capture of Petersburg and Rich- 
mond, and his battalion was the last to leave 
after the taking of the latter city. After the 
war Mr. Spencer continued farming until 
1868, when he came to Jackson County, Wis- 
consin, settling in Garden Valley, and in the 
fall of 1869 he entered the employ of Mer- 
rill & Ice, and ran their farm in the town of 
Hixton for eight years. He then went to 
Black River Falls and farmed it until the 
fall of 1885, when he sold out and came to 
his present place, in March, 1887. Besides 
his general farming and stock raising, he was 
foreman in the pineries two winters, one for 
Merrill & Ice and one for Spaulding. 

Mr. Spencer was married November 7, 
1865, to Mary A. Searls, who was born in 
Lewis County, New York, August 12, 1844, 
the daughter of Clark Searles, deceased. Of 
their five children, four are now living: Julia 
E., Lizzie A., Major V. and Ethel M. Julia 
married Hans Syverson, of Nelson County, 
North Dakota, and has two children: May 
and Guy. Mrs Spencer was killed by light- 
ning at Black River Falls, August 11, 1882, 
during an electric storm, and her eldest son, 
Clark W., died May 30, same year, of scirlet 
fever, at the age of fourteen years. Mr. 
Spencer was again married, March 9, 1884, 
to Mrs. Maria Overturf, the widow of Thomas 
H. Overturf, and daughter of Charles Owens, 
deceased. Mr. Overturf was a native of Illi. 
nois, served in the Union army in an Illinois 
regiment, and ilied from the etlects of a shell 
wound September 6, 1877, in the Soldiers' 
Home at Washington, District of Columbia. 
Mrs. Spencer was born in Potter ('ounty. 



176 



BIOORAPHWAL HISTORY OF 



Pennsylvania, October 1, 1851. She had 
four children by her first husband, three of 
whom still survive: Delia M., George H. and 
Emma B. Mr. and Mrs. Spencer have one 
child — Bessie. Mr. Spencer is a meml)er of 
the G. A. R. and I. O. O. F. fraternities, and 
also a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church at Greenwood. Politically he is a 
Prohibitionist. lie had two brothers in the 
late war: Thomas was in the Fifth New 
York Heavy Artillery, and Heury was in the 
same company with Mr. Spencer. 



,LVA B. MARSH, secretary and man- 

-.^ \K iig^'" ^^ ^'^^ ^'''" "^ ^^® Neillsville 
Milling Company, was born in Clark 
county, December 8, 1850, the son of Nel- 
son and Rocelia (Taylor) Marsh, natives of 
Tennessee, who came to this county in 1856. 
The father is an extensive farmer in Grant 
Township, and is also engaged in the mer- 
cantile business; he is also Postmaster and 
one of the early settlers of the county. When 
he settled here there was only one settler 
within two miles, and only two or three 
houses in Neillsville. He has held the office 
of Justice of the Peace for many years, and 
was also chairman of the Board of Super- 
visors. Mr. Marsh is one of the wealthy 
men of the county, and takes an active in- 
terest in politics. He has a family of si.x 
children living, viz.: Joseph, who is engajred 
in the lumber business in Spokeville: is 
Postmaster at that place, and has held the 
position of chairman of the County Board of 
Supervisors; Lewis, Malvina, Sylvester, Alva 
B. and Spencer M., all having received a line 
education. Spencer M. is now an attorney 
at law. 

Our subject remained at home until 
twenty years of age, assisting on the farm 



and attending the district schools. He tlieJi 
entered the Northwestern Business College 
at Madison, and graduated at that institution 
in 1882. He afterward engaged in clerking 
at Maple Works for three years. In 1886 
he came to Neillsville and engaged as book- 
keeper for W. S. Col burn & Co., with whom 
he remained over two years, after which he 
rented the same for two years. He em- 
ployed eight men, and made some money, 
but since that time the mill has been run by 
a stock company, and Mr. Marsh has held 
the position of secretary and manager. He 
has held the office of Supervisor of the First 
Ward for the past three years, and is also 
secretary of the Masonic Lodge, No. 163, of 
Neillsville. 

Mr. Marsh was married in 1886 to Miss 
Mamie Mclntyre, of Neillsville, and the 
d lughter of Ira and Mary Mclntyre. Mr. and 
Mrs. Marsh have two children — Clara B. and 
Fay. Mr. Marsh has built a fine home on 
Ninth street, where he now resides. He is 
a strong Repul)lican politically, socially a 
Mason, and a prominent man both of the city 
and county. 

^,. ? . ; ,, t ^^..,.> 



^MANUEL J. LEWIS, a lumberman 
of Hemlock, was born in Uniontown, 
Alabama, May 10, 1861, the son of 
Rev. George (deceased) and Patsy (B urges) 
Lewis. The father was a native of Rich- 
mond, Virginia, and was for twenty years a 
minister of the gosjjel in the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church in Alabama. The parents had 
ten children, viz.: Henry, Lucy, Matliew, 
Samuel, Eiranuel, Dovle, Manasses, Georgia, 
Fleming and Rebecca. 

Emanuel J., the subject of this sketch, 
came to Lewis Valley, Wi&consin, near La 
Crosse, with a Mr. Broadbent, when in his 








^, 



■f/^ 



A>a 



CLARA' A.yi) JAUKSON COUNTIES. 



177 




sixth year. He soon afterward went to live 
with Colonel A. Wood, of that locality, and 
remained with him over twenty years, having 
been engaged in teaming mostly. He began 
working in the pineries eight years ago, and 
now takes contracts in taking logs to the 
river for other parties. Mr. Lewis was mar- 
ried May 8, 1889, to Julia Markham, who 
was horn in Sauk County, Wisconsin, Angust 
9, 18(J5, tiie daughter of Morris Markham, 
whose biography appears in this work. They 
liave one ciiild, Moilie Reed, born July 30, 
1890. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are members 
of the Presbyterian Church. 



^ARK DOUGLAS, a farmer, lumber- 
man and mill owner of Jackson 
County, was born in DumtVieshire, 
Scotland, September 19, 1829, the son of 
Thomas Douglas, who was born in the same 
place in 1787. In 1845 he came to this 
cuuntry from Scotland by way of Liverpool 
and New Orleans, thence to La Crosse l)y 
steamboat, and then to the home of his sons, 
Robert and Thomas, in Melrose, where he 
lived until a sliort time before his death, 
when he went and lived with his daughter, 
Mrs. James O'Neill, of Neilsville, Clark 
County. Our sul)ject's mother, nee Jane 
Dalryple, was born in Scotland in 1787, 
where she died at an advanced age. They 
were tiie parents of eleven children, namely: 
John, James, William, Jane, Robert, Hugh, 
Thomas, Isabella, George, David and Mark. 
Four of these children are now living: Will- 
iam, Robert, Hugh and Mark. 

Our subject, the eleventh child, was reared 
and educated in Scotland. In June, 1845, 
he came to Melrose, which was at that time 
in Crawford County, Wisconsin. He went 
to work for his brothers, Robert and Thomas, 

13 



who were the first of the family to come to 
this county, remaining until the spring of 
1849. In that year he went to Dane County, 
where he worked on a farm for his Ijrother 
William until 1851. Before going to that 
county he had taken a claim of 400 acres at 
Melrose, and in the spring of 1852 he went 
to work on tiiis land. In 1853-'54 he held 
the ufhce of Town Treasurer of Melrose, and 
in 1855 was elected Chairman of the town, 
which position he held for twenty-si.\ years. 
He was Postmaster here for nine years, and 
at that time the place was called Bristol, but 
he finally succeeded in having it called by its 
present name. In tlie fall of 1873 Mr. 
Douglas was elected to the Assembly, and in 
1875 was elected to the State Senate, which 
position he held two years. In 1878 he was 
nominated by the Governor to the office of 
Fish Commissioner of the State of Wiscon- 
sin, which position he still holds. In July, 
1876, he bought the Melrose Flouring Mills, 
which he still owns, and is also the owner of 
a very tine farm of 400 acres, the greater 
part of which is in section 8, where he now 
resides. He also owns village property in 
this city, and 4,000 acres of land in Chippe- 
wa County, and 2,500 acres in Clark County. 
Politically he affiliates with the Republican 
party, and is also a thirty- second degree 
Mason. 

Mr. Douglas was married September 12, 
1852, to Justina C. Merrill, who was born in 
Penobscot County, Maine, May 15, 1830, the 
daughter of Humphrey and Esther (Ham- 
mond) Merrill, both natives of Maine. In 
1858 the parents came to Jackson County, 
Wisconsin, locating in Alma Center, where 
the father died at about seventy-live years of 
age. In early life Mr. Merrill was a sailor, 
but in later life followed tanning. Politi- 
cally he was a Republican. Mrs. Merrill 
died in Ili.Kton, at about eighty years of age. 



178 



BIOGRAPniCAL BISTORT OF 



Tliey were both members of the Baptist 
Church, and Mrs. Douglas is a member of 
the Metliodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and 
Mrs. Douglas have had no children of their 
own, but have an adopted daughter, Maud 
B. Douglas, nove Mrs. E. A. Gaylord, of 
Melrose. 



I^ERMAN H. PRAY, of Jackson County, 
Wisconsin, was born in the State of 
New York, March 8, 1835, the son of 
William H. Pray, a native of the same State. 
In 1837 the father went to Kalamazoo 
County, Michigan, where he died at the age 
of sixty-nine years. He was a pumpmaker 
by trade and a Democrat politically. His 
father was also born in New York, where he 
spent his entire life. He was a soldier in 
the Revolutionary war. Our subject's mother, 
Adeline (Austin) Pray, was born in New 
York and died in Michigan, at the age of 
thirty-five years. The parents had nine chil- 
dren, namely: William, Julia, Adeline, 
Horace, Mary, Louise, Benjaniin, Herman 
H. and Emily. Of these three are now liv- 
ing: Adeline, Mary and Herman H. 

Herman H., their eighth child, was reared 
and educated in Kalamazoo County, Michi- 
gan, where he also followed various pursuits. 
Aui^ust 15, 1850, he came to Jackson County, 
Wisconsin, where he remained but a short 
time, and then went to Manchester, where he 
was foreman in a saw-mill until 1856. In 
that year he went to St. Paul, from there on 
a raft to St. Louis, and in the fall of the same 
year returned to Jackson County, settling in 
Albion Township. He was engaged in a 
saw-mill until 1876, wiien he bought a mill 
of his own, in Fremont, Jackson County, and 
operated it until 1881, when he had the mis- 
fortune to be burned out, causing a loss of 



$10,000. He never rebuilt the mill, and in 
the spring of 1882 Ijouglit 160 acres of land 
on section 18, Albion Township, where he 
now resides and carries on general farming. 
In 1877 he was appointed Postmaster there, 
the office being named after him, and he held 
the position four years. Mr. Pray has risen 
to his present position by his own efforts, 
being now well off financially. Politically 
he is a Democrat. 

He was married December 13, 1857, to 
Anna J. King, who was born August 17, 
1837, in the State of New Jersey, a daughter 
of John and Mary (Wilson) King, natives 
also of New Jersey. Li the spring of 1856 
the parents came to Jackson County, Wis- 
consin, where they died at an advanced ao-e. 
The father was a miller by trade, and politi- 
cally a Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Pray have 
had four children: Laura, John K., Alice A., 
Berdine. All are living except Laura, who 
died when a small child. 



fOHN ZIGLINSKE, one of the tiirifty 
farmers of Clark County, resides on sec- 
tion 28, Grant Township. He was born 
in Germany, October 30, 1845, and was 
married in his native country in 1873. In 
1875, with his wife and two children, he 
came to America and located in Clark Coun- 
ty, Wisconsin. Their children are now be- 
ing educated in the district schools of this 
place. Mr. Ziglinske brought with him to 
the United States $200 that by hard work he 
had earned in the old country. He bouorht 
a farm of 120 acres which was a perfect wild- 
erness. By much toil he has cleared forty 
acres of this. At that time there were no 
roads near his place, and the new settlers had 
many obstacles to meet and overcome before 
the country was cleared up. Mr. Ziglinske 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES 



17!) 



spent a short time in Minnesota. Not being 
tavoralily impressed witli tliat State, however, 
he returned to Clark County, Wisconsin, the 
same year. That was when he first caine to 
America. His farm is well stocked with 
cattle and horses, and he is regarded as one 
of the prosperous farmers of the neighbor- 
hood. His political views arc in accordance 
with Democratic principles. 



jLKRED DINGLEY, a contractor and 
!)uilder, and also proprietor of a steam 
saw-mill at (Trcenwood, was born in 
Kennebec County, Maine, May 2, 1843, the 
son of Joseph A. and Mary J. (VVyman) 
Dinjjley, both natives of Maine; the former 
died in that State in 1887, and the latter in 
1889. They were tlie parents of nine chil- 
dren, five of wliom still survive, namely: 
Alfred, George, Eunice, Charles and Carrie. 
The children all live in Maine e.xcept Eunice, 
who resides in Bedford, Quebec. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on a 
farm and received his education in the com- 
mon schools. lie came to La Crosse, this 
county, in 1862, and engaged in freighting 
from the latter city to Neillsville, Sparta and 
Stattbrdsville until 1868, when he went to 
Port Huron, Michigan. While there he 
learned the ship-carpenter's trade, wliich he 
followed during the winters for sixteen years, 
and worked at carpentering during the sum- 
mers at Port Huron and Sarnia, Canada. In 
1881 he returned to this connty, locating in 
Greenwood, where he has since been engaged 
in his j)resent business. 

Mr. Dingley was married October 16, 1870, 
to Mary A. Foster, who was born near Hull, 
Canada, October 2i), 1854, the daughter of 
John and Mary A. («<»« Gill), both deceased. 
Mr. Dingley was a meml)er of the Town 



Board two years; socially he is a memb(>r of 
the Masonic fraternity, and politically, a Pro- 
liibitionist. 



tB. RING is editor and two-thirds owner 
of the Neillsville Tiiiwis, an ably and 
' successfully conducted sheet published 
by the Times Publishing Company. He is 
a native of Rock Connty, Wisconsin, and for 
many years resided with his parents at Sparta, 
Wisconsin. He learned the printer's ti-ade 
in the oHice of the Sparta Emjle, and engaged 
in the business until May, 1875, when he re- 
ceived a Government appointment at Shang- 
hai, China. In making the journey to the 
scenes of his future work, he crossed the con- 
tinent to the Pacific coast, and sailed from 
the port of San Francisco to the " Flowery 
Kingdom" by way of Japan. He remained 
in the Orient until 1877, when he returned 
to the United States; he came by way of the 
Indian Ocean, Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea, 
France, England and the Atlantic, thus mak- 
ing a complete circuit of the globe. It was 
an e.xceedingly interesting and valuable ex- 
perience, in which he won much information. 
He tonched nearly all the principal seaports 
en route, and lingered many months at places 
of interest which he visited. 

On his return to this country Mr. Rinf 
was emjiloyed for some time on the La Crosse 
RepuhUcan and Lender; the winter of 1878- 
'79 was passed in the city of Washington, 
District of Columbia, as witness in the Sew- 
ard investigation. In March, 1879, after an 
extensive journey throngh the South, he came 
to Neillsville, and in July of the same year he 
established the True Repuhlican, which he 
owned and edited until Decemi)er, 1888; at 
that time this paper and the 7"/ //u',? consolida- 
ted, Mr. Ring retiring. After the consolida- 



180 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF 



tion it was known as The Neillsville Times, 
and in March, 1889, Mr. King bonglit an in- 
terest in the business, and has ever since been 
the editor. 

The Times is a Repnbliciin publication, 
and adheres stanchly to the principles of tlie 
party. 

Our esteemed subject was married to Miss 
Frances Langford, of Madison, Wisconsin, an 
accomplished teacher, in 1886. 

-^— |-><->f— 

fOlIN J. SLOSSER, a successful farmer 
of Jackson County, was born in Dutch- 
ess County, New York. May 19, 1849, 
the son of Arnold B. Siosser, a nntive also of 
New York. In 18G0 the father, of German 
descent, came to Jackson County, Wisconsin, 
where he died at the age of eighty-two years. 
In early years he was a ship carpenter, hut 
later in life followed farming. Politically 
he was a Republican, (^ur subject's mother, 
nee Katherine Udell, was born in New York, 
and lived to tiie age of seventy-seven years. 
Mr. and Mrs. Siosser had eight children, 
only two of whom survive: Emma J. and 
John J. 

The latter, their eighth child, was reared 
on a farm and received his education in the 
common schools of Jackson County. He 
now owns and occupies 240 acres of land in 
section 23, Albion Township, which he in- 
herited from his parents. He carries on 
general farming, and later intends to give 
special attention to the raising of blooded 
stock. Politically he is a Republican, and 
has held several minor offices. He was mar- 
ried November 11, 1878, to Harriet E. Har- 
mer, who was born in Fond du Lac County, 
Wisconsin, May 30, 1850, the daughter of 
William and Lizzie (Relf) Ilarmer, who came 
from England to this country in an early day. 



Mr. and Mrs. Siosser have had four children, 
all of whom are living, viz.: May L., Harry 
A., George B. and Archie J. 



fHEODORE E. MEINHOLD, of sec 
tion 8, Eaton Township, Clark County, 
was born in Saxony, Germany, August 
24, 1860, the son of Gottlieb and Wiliielmina 
(Nuendorf) Meinhold, both also natives of 
Saxony. Tiie parents came to the United 
States in 1869, settling in Sheboygan Coun- 
ty, Wisconsin, where they lived until 1879, 
and in thatyearcirae to tliis county and settled 
on our subject's bind. Th ay had ten children, 
five of whom still survive, namely: Theodore, 
Minnie, Liua, Emma and Gustav. Minnie 
niarried Frank Hornei', of this county, and 
they have three children: Charles, Lina and 
Edward. Lina married Henry Thielen, also 
of this county, and they iiave two children: 
Oscar and an infant boy. Mr. Meiiihold, 
our subject, owns eighty acres of good land, 
twenty-live of which is cleared. He has 
worked iti the pineries during the winters, 
drove logs in the spring, and farmed in the 
summers. He was induced to accept the 
office of Clerk of the School Board. He is a 
member of the German Ret'ormed Church. 



(u « • (*? 



fllOMAS R. VINE, of section 25, 
Warner Township, Clark County, was 
born in Buffalo, New York, June 17, 
1846, the son of Thomas Vine, deceased, a 
native of Eno-land, but who came to the 
United States when a young man. Thomas 
R., our subject, spent the first sixteen years 
of his life in Buffalo, where he attended the 
city schools. In 1862 he came to this county, 
and in the spring of 1863 enlisted in the 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



181 



TTiiioii army fit Neillsville, in Coinpany I, 
Fourteentli Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. 
He served over two yenrs, and participated 
in the battles of Sliiioli, Vici<sl)nrg, Nash- 
ville, Tupelo, skirinisli on White River, 
march from Brownsville to Pilot Knob, cam- 
paign against Montgotnery, the Missouri 
campaign, Lookout Mountain, Red River 
campaign, Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely, Fort 
De Russa, and many others. After the war 
Mr. Vine returned to this county, and since 
that time has worked twenty-two years in the 
woods. He settled on his present farm of 
eighty acres in the spring of 1873, and lias 
since cleared thirty acres of this tract. When 
he came he had no means excepting a cow. 
He kept himself busily employed, in the 
woods in the winter and on the farm in the 
summer. His hay he had to carry up by 
hand, with the aid of his wife, using poles, 
until he was able to secure a team, nine years 
afterward. 

He was married, ()ctol)er 19, 1868, to 
Emma E. Marvin, a daughter of Matthew 
Marvin, of Greenwood, Wisconsin, and they 
have five children: Edward C, Ernest R. 
Jeremiah T., Alice E. and Pricy G. Mr. 
Vine is a member of the G. A. R. and I. O. 
O. F., and in his political principles is a 
Republican. 



I^ERMAN SCHWARZE, a blacksmith, 
and also a dealer in plows, of section 29 
to 27, Warner Township, was born in 
Lippe-Detmold, Germany, June 24, 1850, 
the son uf Hans H. and Mary S. (Hoefer) 
Schwarze, both natives of Germany. The 
former died when Herman was nine years 
old, and the latter when he was ten years. 
He came to the United States in 1867, and 
tirst lived in Sheboygan County one year, 



working at his trade, after which he spent 
two years in Miami, Manitowoc County In 
1870 he came to this county, locating in 
Warner Township, which he lias since made 
his liome. He worked in the lumber camps 
as blacksmith live or six winters, and in 1874 
began work in his present shop, which, with 
the e.xception of two years spent in the camps, 
he has since continued. He owns a farm of 
121 acres, twenty of which is cleared. 

Mr. Schwarze was married in the fall of 
1874, to Christina Meyer, who was born in 
Brandenburg, Prussia, November 5, 1848, 
the daughter of Michael Meyer. They liave 
had nine children, eight of whom are now 
living: Helene, Matilda, George, Albert, 
Herman, Adolpli, Augusta and Otto. Mr. 
Schwarze was a member of the Side Board 
four years, and is the present incumbent; 
Road Overseer two years, and School Treas- 
urer twelve years. He is a mend)er of the 
German Reformed Church, of which he is a 
deacon, and also superintendent of the Sun- 
day-school at Immanuel Church. In politics 
he votes for the man, regardless of party. 

E. HOLLENBECK, a prominent citi- 
zen of Merrillon, was born in Jefferson 
* County, New York, September 29, 
1848, son of William and Sophia Hollenbeck, 
also natives of the Empire State. The orio-i- 
nal ancestors of William A. Hollenbeck came 
to this country from Holland. In 1856, 
when C. E. was eight years old, he came 
West with his father, who located in Adams 
County, Wisconsin, and engaged in farming 
Ho had a family of nine children to support 
and had no means save what he earned by 
hard work. Ho bought 120 acres of wild 
land in this new country, which by hard 
labor he cleared and developed into a good 



183 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTOIiT OF 



farm. IJe was a prominent Democrat among 
the pioneers of tliis State; he is now a resi- 
dent of Minnesota, his wife having died in 
Tenton County, this State, in February, 1887. 

C. E. HoUenbeek was only iifteen years 
old when he ran away from home harefooted 
and began the struggle of life. At the age 
of sixteen he enlisted in Company H, Eleventh 
"Wisconsin Regiment, Captain O'Neal, and 
went forth in defense of his country; he 
served in the Gulf Department a year and 
one month, and during that time was in the 
battles of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, being 
wounded in the right knee at the latter place; 
he was discharged in October, 1865. The 
war over, he returned to Wisconsin, and was 
encraeed in the lumber business in Grand 
Rapids from 1865 until 1873. 

September 7, 1873, he wedded Emma A. 
Johnson, who was born in West Bend, Wis- 
consin, in 1853; her education was obtained 
in the common schools of her native county, 
and Mr. HoUenbeek was also educated in the 
district schools. One child has been born to 
them. 

In 1873 they located at Arcadia, where he 
engaged in the lumber business. In 1879, 
1880 and 1881 he was employed by C. M. 
Cain & Co., wholesale lumlier dealers of Osh- 
kosh; he then came to Merrilloii and entered 
into the insurance business, in which he is 
now engased. Mr. HoUenbeek has served 
the public as Town Treasurer, Deputy Sher- 
iff, Police and Magistrate. He is associated 
with the Masonic fraternity, and is a member 
of the G. A. R. 

— ^... | .3., ; ^^ 



many, but who came to this country in 1854 
and located in Dodge County. In 1877 he 
came to Jackson County, Albion Township, 
where he still resides. He is a member of 
the German Catholic Church. Our subject 
is the fourth of seven children, five of whom 
are now living: Felix, John, Andrew, Frank 
and Tony. The latter was reared and edu- 
cated principally in Jackson County. In 
1887 he bought forty acres of land on section 
10, Albion Township, where he now lives and 
carries on general farming. Politically he is 
a Democrat. 

Mr. Witsic was married May 10, 1887, to 
Maggie Staffon, who was born in Jackson 
County, Wisconsin, in 1865, the daughter of 
Adam and Mary Staffon, who came from 
Germany to this country early in life, locating 
in Jackson County, where they now live. The 
father is a farmer by occupation. Mr. and 
Mrs. Witsic have had two children — Stella 
and Jenny. The former died when one and 
a half years old. 



-}»-»H 



fONY WITSIC, of Albion Township, 
Jackson County, was born in Dodge 
County, Wisconsin, June 29, 1862, the 
son of Anthony Witsic, a native of Ger- 



SREDERICK A. LIMPRECHT, of sec- 
tion 15, Warner Township, was born in 
^ Weimar, Germany, October 8, 1850, the 
son of Charles M. and Christina (Buddinger) 
Limprecht, natives of Germany; the former is 
a resident of Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, 
but the latter is deceased. Of the parents' nine 
children, seven are still living, namely: Au- 
gust, Christ, Frederick, Louis, Hermann> 
Charles and Emma. One daughter, Annie, 
died on shipboard when the family were on 
their way to the United States. They landed 
in this country in 1854, and first settled in 
Sheboygan County, which was then a dense 
woods. Indians and wild animals were nu- 
merous, and the father secured nearly all his 
meat by hunting. 



CLARK AND JAOKSON COUNTIES. 



183 



Frederick A., our subject, was reared on a 
farm and educated in tlie comition schools of 
Sheboygan County. At the age of fifteen 
years he learned the miller's trade, wliicli he 
followed several years around Sheboygan and 
Milwaukee, and also in Chicago four years. 
He went to the latter city about three weeks 
before the fire of 1871, but in 1874 returned 
to Sheboygan County, where he was subse- 
quently married. Mr. Liniprecht (armed on 
the homestead four years, and in the spring 
of 1879 came to Hemlock, where he built a 
large flouring-mill in company witli N. il. 
Withee, and also built the first dwelling- 
house in this city, where he has ever since 
resided. After five years he sold his interest 
in the Hemlock mills, and has since been en- 
gaged in farming and various other employ- 
ments. He owns 120 acres of land on the 
west side of the river, on sections 9 and 4, 
township 27, range 2 west, of which eighteen 
acres is cleared. He also owns a fine frame 
dwelling in Hemlock. 

Mr. Limprecht was married September 26, 
1874, to Sedonie Seitel, a daughter of Gottleib 
Seitel, deceased. They have had five chil- 
dren, four of whom are still living: Annie, 
Charlie, Toney and William. One son, Her- 
man, died at the age of four years and three 
days. Mr. Limprecht is a member of the A. 
O. U. VV., and also of the German Reformed 
Church. 



^ENRY W. DECKER, of section 29, 
AVarner Township (27), range 2 west, 
Clark County, was l)orn in Sheboygan 
County, Wisconsin, February 18, 18G4. His 
mother died when he was three days old, 
after which he was taken care of by neigh- 
bors. He came with his father to this county 
in 1871, where he has since resided on his 



present farm of eighty acres, tiiirty of which 
is cleared. This place is well improved, and 
of very good soil. He has also worked in 
the ])ineries during the winters, and at the 
carpenter's trade in the summers. He rents 
his farm to tenants. Mr. Decker is an enter- 
prising and public-spirited young man, and 
has fair prospects for future prosperity. Ho 
is a member of the German Reformed 
Church. 

Frederick Decker, deceased, father of the 
above, and late of section 28, Warner Town- 
sliij) (27), Clark County, was born in Lippe- 
Detmold, Prussia, in 1828. He came to the 
United States in 1854, settling near Franklin, 
Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, where he 
cleared a farm. In 1871 he came to this 
county and settled on the old homestead, 
where he died May 8, 1889. He was mar- 
ried to Minnie Teace, and they had three 
children — Fred, August and Henry. The 
mother died February 21, 1864, and Mr. 
Deck r was again married, March 12, 18G8, 
to Mary Meier, who was born in the Province 
of Brandenburg, Prussia, December 6, 1837, 
the daughter of Michael Meier, deceased. 
They had six children: Herman, Otto, Ber- 
tha, Ferdinand, Louise and Emelia, all of 
whom are at home. Mr. Decker was a hard- 
workitig man, having cleared a fai-m of 200 
acres, which has since been tlivided, and a 
part is now owned by our subject, Henry W. 
He was a member of the German Reformed 
Church, and never (rave much attention to 
politics. 



ffcOBERT W. CANFIELD, a farmer and 
bridge contractor of Clark County, Wis- 
consin, was born in Wellsvllle, New 
York, September 4, 1853. His parents, 
Leonard and Uelilah Canfield, were also na- 



184 



BIOGRAPniGAL IT f STORY OF 



tives of that State. His father died tiiere in 

1878, and his mother still makes her home in 
New York. Robert received his education 
in "Wells ville, and held a certiticate to teach, 
though he never followed that profession. 
At the a^e of seventeen he began to work for 
himself, receiving $11 per montii, and the lirst 
year he saved $90. For about two years he 
worked in Pennsylvania, and followed teain- 
ino- for a time. For a while he was employed 
as a clerk in a store at Wellsville, New York, 
where he acquired a knowledge of mercantile 
business. 

In 1876 Mr. Canfield located in Wiscon- 
sin, at Neillsville, and for three winters 
worked in the woods. He also learned the 
carpenter's trade after coming to this State. 
After working at it a short time he turned 
his attention to contracting for bridge work, 
and has been very successful in his under- 
takino-s. By economy and good management 
he saved up $1,000 before he was married. 
The date of his marriage was September 7, 

1879, and the lady of his choice Ida Preshure. 
Her father was one of the tirst settlers of 
Wisconsin. Mr. Canlield moved to his pres- 
ent location in 1880. He owns some 350 
acres of good land, partly on section 1, Levis 
Township, which is well improved. He has 
been School Clerk for four years, Chairman 
of the Town Board seven years. Mr. Can- 
field is a believer in a tariff for revenue only; 
is a Democrat, and the nominee of that party 
for Clerk at the last election. 



SfcilLEY J. HORR, a prosperous farmer 
^ on section 5, Unity Township, was born 
in Lorraine, Jefferson County, New 
York, October 6, 1832. His parents, War- 
ren and Lovisa (Still man) Horr, were born in 
the same county, and were reared and mar- 



ried there. The paternal grandparents were 
Israel and Joanna (Haskins) Horr, natives of 
the State of New York. The maternal grand- 
parents were Benjamin and PoUie (Maxon) 
Stillman, early settlers of New York, but 
natives of New England. Warren Horr re- 
moved with his family to Wisconsin in 1868, 
and settled in Adams County, where he still 
resides, at the advanced age of eighty-three 
years; his wife \t aged seventy-six years. He 
has bi en a carpenter by trade, but a farmer 
by occupation, and has accumulated some 
property. Three sons and one daughter were 
born to this worthy couple: Riley J., 
Amanda, the wife of Hiram Brigani; Austin 
W. and Leonard. 

Riley J , the eldest child, was reared to 
farm life in the counties of Jefferson and 
Lewis, New York. He lived in the former 
county until 1869, when he removed to Ad- 
ams County, Wisconsin, and in 1872 he came 
to Clark County, Wisconsin; he purchased 
land in Green Grove Township and in 1877 
located on his present farm; he owns 177^^ 
acres, 100 of which he has reclaimed from 
the wild state of nature and placed under 
cultivation. He also owns 120 acres in 
Beaver Township, section 1. In addition to 
his agricultural interests he has been largely 
engaged in the lumber business; he has op- 
erated a mill for a good many years, and has 
done a considerable amount of logging. 

Politically he affiliates with the Republi- 
can party. He has represented the people 
of his township in many of the public offices, 
but takes no active interest in the move- 
ments of his party. In August, 1862, he 
enlisted as a member of Company E, Tenth 
New York Heavy Artillery, and served until 
the close of the war. He was with the army 
of the Potomac until the declaration of peace, 
when he was mustered out of the service at 
Petersburg, Virginia. He was honorably 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



185 



discharged at Sackett's Harbor, New York, 
June 30, 1865. lie was in Virginia the 
greater portion of tlie time, and was gar- 
risoned in New York harbor for nearly a 
year. 

Mr. Ilorr was united in marriage Marcli 
14, 1855, to Miss Louisa L. Ives, wlio was 
born in Waterlown, New York, Jannarj' 21. 
1831-. Her parents are Joel and Mary (In- 
galls) Ives, natives of the State of New York. 
Five children have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Horr: Frank, George and Bert are all 
in California, and Benjamin and Fred are at 
home. 

Mrs. Ilorr's parents were born in'Connec- 
ticut, but were early settlers of Jefferson 
County, New York, where they lived some 
years, and finally passed out of this life; the 
father died in 1871, at the age of sixty-four 
years; the mother lived to be thirty years of 
age, and at her death left five children; Eras- 
tus, Louisa, Amelia, Julia and Edward. 
Louisa is the wife of Mr. Horr, and Julia is 
th" wife of S. H. Hall, of Jefferson County, 
New York. 

Jonathan Ingalls, the grandfather of Mrs. 
Horr, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and 
died as an English prisoner of war. 




WILLIAM REINEKING, of section 
24, Warner Township, Clark County, 
was born in Sheboygan County, Wis- 
con.-<in, July 11, 1854, the son of William 
and Sophie (Haker) Reineking, both natives 
of Germany. The father came to the United 
States in 1847, settling in Sheboygan County, 
which was inhabited then by Indians and 
wild animals. He had to cut roads through 
the woods to his land, which was also cov- 
ered with heavy timber. They first slept in 
booths made of brush, but afterward built a 



pole shanty. Mr. and Mrs. Reineking had 
seven children, of whom five are now livino-; 
Bertha, now Mrs. Mensclien; William, our 
subject; Ida, now Mrs. Stock; Theodore and 
Otto. The deceased were Charles, who died 
at the age of twenty years; Matilda, at the 
age of seventeen years. 

William, our subject, was reared on a farm 
and received a coiumon-school education. He 
came to this county in May, 1881, and set- 
tled on his present farm of 160 acres, forty- 
five of which is cleared. Besides his gen- 
eral farming and stock-raising, Mr. Reinek- 
ing has also worked in the pineries some of 
the winters. He was married May 6, 1881, 
to Mary Dohmeier, a daughter of Simon 
Dohmeier, of Sheboygan County. Of their 
five children, four are now living, namely: 
Lydia, Bertha, Mata and Emilia. Mr. Rei- 
nekingis a member of the Reformed Church, 
and is a Republican politically. 

^-f*i^«-^'— 

TEBHEN MOORE, of section 10, War- 
ner Township, Clark County, was born 
in Wellington County, Ontario, April 
30, 1845, the son of Cornelius (deceased) and 
Lavina (Peck) Moore, the former a native of 
New Jersey, and the latter of New Hamp- 
shire. The father removed to Ontario when 
a young man. The parents had fourteen 
children, only four of whom still survive: 
Jane, now Mrs. Earhart; Lynns, Ste[)hen, our 
subject, and Sarah, now Mrs. Kelly. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to 
farm life, and educated in the common 
schools. He worked in the saw-mills of his 
native county several years, and in 1865 
came to Clinton, Michigan, and the same 
year removed to Michigan City, Indiana. In 
the s|iring of 1868 he went to I'reston Town- 
ship, Fillmore County, Minnesota, where he 



186 



BIOORAPHIGAL HISTOMT OP 



farmed two years, and in 1870 came to this 
county, settling in what is now Warner Town- 
ship. He owns 170 acres of land, sixty of 
which is cleared, where he is engaged in gen- 
eral farming, logging, and also ran a thresher 
nine years. For the past four years he has 
owned and ran a steam tiiresher, the '• Min- 
nesota Chief," which is run by the Ames 
engine. 

Mr. Moore was married Jiine 25, 1867, to 
Ellen Hogan, the only daughter of Patrick 
Hogan, deceased. Her mother, nee Catharine 
Sullivan, was afterward married to James 
Miller, and they had seven children, six of 
whom are now living: Frances, Emma, Adda, 
Dudley, Mira and Mina; Charles is dead. 
Mrs. Moore was always known by the name 
of Miller in her girlhood. Mr. and Mrs. 
Moore have had seven children, six of whom 
still survive: Aminta, Catharine, Joseph, 
Charles, Mabel and Ivy. One son, Francis, 
died in infancy. 



-5w^ 



tA FAYETTE STURDEVANT, law part- 
ner of Judge John R. Sturdevant, Neills- 
ville, Wisconsin, was born in Erie Coun- 
ty, Pennsylvania, in 1857, and emigrated to 
the West with his father, Hiram Sturdevant, 
in 1863. The family settled in the town of 
Pine Valley, where Hiram Sturdevant passed 
the remainder of his days. Although he was 
not a pioneer of Clark County, he was a well- 
known citizen. His brother, James W. Stur- 
devant, was one of the earliest settlers. In 
1849 he went to California, and on his return 
in 1852 the vessel on which he took passage 
was wrecked, few of the number on board 
escaping death. He enlisted during the civil 
war as a member of Company F, One Hun- 
dred and Fifty-first Pennsylvania Volunteer 
Infantry, and in the battle of Gettysburg 



was severely wounded. This misfortune re- 
sulted in his honorable discharge soon after, 
and he then removed with his family to Clark 
County. His widow and six childi-en are 
still living. 

La Fayette Sturdevant received his educa- 
tion in the pul)lic schools, and studied law 
under the tutorship of his present partner. 
He was admitted to the l)ar in 1879, his first 
partner being L. A. Doolittle, of Eau Claire, 
Wisconsin. This relationship continued for 
two years, and was then dissolved, when the 
present co-partnership was formed. He was 
elected District Attorney in the fall of 1876, 
and discharged the duties of this office with 
marked ability. He is also the present Dis- 
trict Attorney, elected in the fall of 1890. 

Mr. Sturdevant was united in marriage to 
Miss Minctte Bacon, a daughter of Orson 
Bacon, a pioneer of Clark County, who was 
born in the State of Vermont in the year 
1810. He removed thence to the State of 
New York, where he married Miss M. R. 
Hastings. They moved from Elmira, New 
York, to Miciiigan, and came as pioneers to 
Neillsville, where they were well known and 
highly respected. Orson Bacon died in 1882, 
leaving a widow, four daughters and two 
sons. Since that time one of the sons has 
passed away. 

LVAH BALLOU, one of the pioneers 
of Clark County, Wisconsin, was born 
February 13, 1834, in the old Bay 
State, the son of Martin and Prudy Ballon. 
He received his education in Massachusetts 
and remained with his parents until he was 
twenty-one years old. He came West in 
1855 and for a time made his home in Harri- 
son, Calumet County, Wisconsin. Clark County 
has been his home since 1876. While in 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



187 



Calumet County Mr. Ballon was married to 
Arnaiida Foster, and of their four children 
three are living. 

When the nar broke out the subject of our 
sketch entered the service, enlisting in 1801, 
ill (-onipany C, Tenth Wisconsin Infantry. 
Shortly after his arrival in the South he was 
taken sick and spent three months in the 
hospital. On account of disability he was 
discharged the following year. During his 
brief service lie was instrumental in captur- 
ing a spy who was afterward executed. 

Mr. Ballou owns a good farm on section 
11, Levis Township, four miles from Neills- 
ville, that he has cleared up from a wilder- 
ness. He has been a hard-working man all 
ins life. He is a stanch Republican and a 
in<ist Worthy citizen. 



-Swf- 




WILLIAM VOLLRATH, of section 
13. Warner Township, range 3 west, 
Clark County, was born in the Prov- 
ince of Ithine, Prussia, November 23, 185G, 
the son of John and Mary (Kremer) YoU- 
rath, both natives of Germany, the former 
born December 11, 1814, and the latter 
August 22, 1818. They were the parents of 
three children: Philip, Maggie and Will- 
iam. The mother died December 1, 1881, 
ii\ this county, hers being the first death in 
this township west of Plack liiver. 

William VoUrath, our subject, came to the 
United States in September, 1867, and tirst 
lived in Franklin, Herman Township, She- 
boygan County, this State, until the spring 
of 1870, when he settled in Warner Town- 
ship, Clark County, which has ever since 
been his home. In 1881 he settled on his 
present farm of 120 acres, one- third of which 
he has since cleared, and where he is en(Ta<red 
in general farming and stock-raising. Ho 



has also worked in tho pineries twelve 
winters. 

Mr. Yollrath was married April 18, 1881, 
to Augusta Decker, a native of Germany. 
They have two children: Bertha and John. 
The mother died January 30, 1883, and De- 
cember 1, 1883, the father married Anna 
Harrian, a native of Bohemia. By this mar- 
riage there are three children: Maggie, 
George and Clara. Mr. Vollrath has been 
Town Treasurer four years; Supervisor four 
years, and is now tilling the ottice of Town 
Clerk. He is also agent for the Lynn Farm- 
ers' Mutual Insurance Company. He is a 
Republican politically, and a member of the 
German Reformed Church. 






fOHN SULLIVAN, a successful farmer 
of Jackson County, was born in County 
Limerick, Ireland, in May, 1832, the son 
of Jeremiah Sullivan, a native of the same 
county. The latter came to the United States 
in 1842, and located in Baltimore, wliere he 
subsetpiently died. In Ireland his occupa- 
tion was that of farmer, but after comino- to 
this country he was occupied principally in 
working on railroads. Our subject's mother, 
nee Mary Cobourn, was born in Ireland, 
wliere she died. Our subject, their sixth 
child, was reared on a farm and educated in 
Cumberland, Maryland. In 1840 he went 
to work for a railroad contractor, and con- 
tinued with him until about 1849, when he 
went to St. Louis, and tiien came to Chip- 
pewa Falls, Wisconsin, where he followed 
various pursuits. In 1856 he came to 
Jackson County, Wisconsin, and located in 
Albion Township, where he now resides. He 
owns eighty acres of land on section 9, where 
he carries on general farming. He also owns 
some town property. Politically he is a 



188 



BIOGRAPHICAL BISTORT OF 



Democrat, and has held several minor offices. 
He is a member of the Catholic Church. 

Mr. Sullivan was married June 30, 1878, 
to Mary C. Morrissey, who was born in Mont- 
gomery County, New York, February 26, 
1848, the daughter of James and Katharine 
(Fitzpatrick) Morrissey, who came from Ire- 
to this country in early life, and subsequently 
came to Irving Township, Jackson County, 
Wisconsin. Tliey are both members of the 
Catholic Church, and the father is a Demo 
crat politically. Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan have 
had five children, namely: Mary E., John, 
Ursella, Frank and Katherine, all of whom 
are living but Ursella, wiio died at the age 
of eight months. 



■^'^ ^^ ' ^? ^ 



jARON OLDHAM, an early settler of 
Clark County, Wisconsin, resides on a 
^ farm in section 10, Levis Township. 
He was born in Derbyshire, England, Sep- 
tember 19, 1838; his parents had eight 
children, he being the only surviving one; 
his father removed to Canada and en£rao:ed in 
farming, which occupation he followed his 
entire life. 

At an early age Aaron began to show a 
spirit of independence by providing for him- 
self. He came to the United States when a 
mere boy and obtained employment in a calico 
factory at Lowell, Massachusetts, where he 
remained nine years, and during that time 
became skilled in his trade; his education 
was obtained in the night schools, which were 
provided by that institution for its em- 
ployes; he also availed himself of the use 
of the library, and thereby formed a taste for 
reading which has clung to him through life; 
he has been somewhat of a student all his 
life, and keeps himself thoroughly posted on 
the current events of the day. 



Mr. Oldham was married, in Massachu- 
setts, at the age of twenty-three years, to 
Anna Hardman, a native of England. Their 
union has been blessed with six children, all 
now living; he has taken great pains to edu- 
cate them and tit them for honorable positions 
in life. Mr. Oldham came to Clark County 
the 26th of July, 1869, and took a homestead 
claim of 160 acres, located four miles and a 
half south of the present site of Neillsville. 
By hard work and with the assistance of his 
most estimable wife he has improved a good 
farm and made a comfortable home. 

The early pioneers of Wisconsin, as well as 
those of other States, had their hardships and 
privations, together with many pleasing ex- 
periences. Mr. Oldham relates in a vivid 
manner incidents connected witii his first set- 
tlement here. The first house they lived in 
was constructed by themselves, the roof being 
covered with split bark. Provisions were high 
in those days, and economy had to be prac- 
ticed in many ways. Besides working on his 
farm Mr. Oldham has been employed in the 
woods and logging camps of the State more 
or less since his residence here. Politically 
he is a Republican. 



fOHN SANDERS, of section 26, Hixton 
Township, Clark County, was born in 
Pittsford Township, Rutland County, 
Vermont, September 11, 1834, the son of 
Leonard (deceased) and Charlotte (Jones) 
Sanders, natives of Vermont; the former was 
born in the year 1802, and the latter now 
lives at Black Creek, Wisconsin, at the age 
of seventy-nine years. The parents had 
seven children, four now living: Harriet, 
now Mrs. Dixon; John, the subject of this 
sketch; Michael, and Charlotte, the wife of 
E. Welsh. One son. Ransom, died at the a^e 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



189 



of seventeen years, and George died in the 
Union army during; the late war. 

Joiin Sanders came with his parents to 
Wisconsin in 1847, settling in Watertown 
Township, where they were surrounded by 
wild animals and Indians. In the fall of 
1871 he came to this county and settled on 
his present farm, which then had but nine 
acres cleared, and a small ]o^ cabin. There 
was no turnpike north of Cawley Creek, and 
Mr. Sanders paid a dollar a hundred to get 
his goods from Neillsville. He now owns 
120 acres of land and his wife eigiity, fifty- 
one of which is cleared. 

He was married July 10. 1858, to Martha A. 
Mead, a daughter of Vanranselaer Mead, de- 
ceased. (For further particulars of the Mead 
family, see sketch of W. H. Mead in this 
work.) They have three children, two of 
whom are now livino;: John E. and Ransom 
L. One son died in infancy. John married 
Annie Bornian, lives in Withee Township, 
this county, and has four children; Bernard, 
Etta, Ransom and an infant son. Ransom 
works in the pineries and at other occupa- 
tions. Mr. Sanders has been a member of 
the Metiiodist Church since si.xteen years of 
age. During the late war Mr. Sanders en- 
listed, but was rejected by the examining 
board, lie is a Republican politically, but 
votes for the man instead of party. 



-•"^^r'5*-*^^;,*-^ 



AMUEL H. ESCH, physician and sur- 
geon, has been engaged in the practice 
of his profession in Neillsville since 
1885. He is a native of Sparta, Monroe 
(younty. born in the year 1859, and is a son 
of the Rev. Henry Esch, an early settler in 
the county. When he was a lad the family 
removed to Milwaukee, the Rev. Esch havincr 
been appointed to the pastorate of a church in 



that city. Later they left Milwaukee and 
lived in several different places, as tlie father's 
work necessitated. During a period later on 
they again resided in Milwaukee, but when 
Samuel H. was thirteen years old they re- 
turned to Sparta. There young Esch took a 
course in the high school, and while yet a 
youth determined to adopt the medical pro- 
fession as his calling in life. At that time 
he evinced his strength of character and cour- 
age, for the family finances did not warrant 
anything more than an ordinary education. 
He was obliged by the labor of his own hands 
to earn the means to carry him through a 
medical training, and accordingly secured a 
position as railroad express messenger, which 
he held for several years. Before he began 
his studies he assisted a brother, John J. 
Esch, who was acquiring a legal education at 
the Wisconsin State University. This 
brother, who is now a prominent attorney 
at La Crosse, in tui-n aided the Doctor when 
he was studying. 

The j-oute as express messenger lay be- 
tween Green Bay and Chicago, and in the 
latter city Dr. Esch secured a preceptor who 
directed his studies, which he pursued the 
last year of his employment in this capacity. 
He entered Rush Medical College in the fall 
of 1883, and was graduated in the spring of 
1885. Ho then located at Sparta, formino- a 
co-partnership with two prominent physi- 
cians, the firm name being Gage, Beebe & 
Co. This relationship existed until his re- 
moval to Neillsville; for a time after comintr 
here he was associated with Dr. W. B. Merely, 
now of St. Paul, Minnesota. He practiced 
alone until May, 1888, when he formed a 
partnership with Dr. William Lyman. By 
his ability and skill as a physician, and his 
untiring industry, he has established a lucra- 
tive practice. He and Dr. Lyman are con- 
stantly increasing their patronage, and are 



190 



BIOGRAPHIGAL HISTORY OF 



ever on the alert to gain information upon 
the best methods and latest discoveries in the 
science of medicine. Dr. Esch has made a 
special study of the eye and ear in connection 
with his general work. 

Our worthy subject was united in marriage 
in July, 1886, to Miss Louise Baldwin, of 
Sparta, and one child has been born to them, 
Gretchen. 




WILLIAM J. FLANAGAN, superin- 
tendent of the Bright farm, one 
section 19, Green Grove Township, 
Clark County, was born in St. Lawrence 
County, New York, December 25, 1853, the 
son of Thomas and Margaret (Smith) Flan- 
agan, natives of Ireland. The father came 
to the State of New York when fifteen years 
of age, and has ever since resided in St. 
Lawrence County. He is a blacksmith by 
trade, but is now retired from all active busi- 
ness. The parents had ten children: Eliza, 
Maria, Edward, Louise, Mary, Emily, Will- 
iam, Charles, Frances and Lillie. 

William J., our subject, was reared to farm 
life and received a commou-school education 
in his native State, where he was also en • 
gaged in farming. He came to Jackson 
County, Wisconsin, in 1877, where he ran a 
ferry-boat at Irving for three years; next he 
was engaged in farming and working in the 
pineries for three years of William T. Price; 
he then farmed for himself two years. In 
the spring of 1865 he came to this county, 
and soon afterward became superintendent of 
his present farna. The place consists of 250 
acres of cleared land, and 1,700 acres of hard- 
wood timber land. His residence is a tine, 
large frame, two stories, containing seven 
rooms. There are also two large frame barns, 
one is 46 x 64 feet, with twenty- two-feet posts. 



and the other is 46x80 feet. There are two 
large warehouses, an office, a blacksmith shop, 
with sleeping apartments overhead for the 
hired men. There is also a fine large wind- 
mill, milk-house, and a hog-house 24x24 
feet, which is supplied with water by under- 
ground lead pipes. Mr. Flanagan and one 
other man take care of 200 head of stock, all 
of which are of a high grade. He also owns 
a farm near Melrose, in Jackson County, 
Wisconsin. 

Mr. Flanagan was married December 25, 
1882, to Ella Brewer, who was born in Cuya- 
hoga County, Ohio, November 6, 1853, 
the daughter of Harvey Brewer, of Jackson 
County, Wisconsin. They have had two 
children, only one of whom survives: Alta 
L., born September 12, 1887; the other died 
in infancy. Mr. Flanagan now holds the of- 
fice of School Treasurer. He is a member of 
the I. O. O. F. at Greenwood. 



;LE MATHISON, of section 26, Hixton 
Township, Clark County, was born near 
Larveve, County of Ironsburg, Norway, 
October 19, 1849, the son of Mathis Gulexon, 
a native of the same country, who still lives 
on tiie old homestead. Ole is the eldest of 
fi^ur children, of whom one brother and a 
sister are living; Andrine Mathison, who 
married but did not change her name; and 
Mathis Mathison; both of the children live 
in Norway. The father had one son by a 
former marriage, who, if living, is a sailor. 
After coming to the United States, our 
subject first stopped in Jefferson County, 
Wisconsin, for four months, then went to 
Waukesha County, where he remained until 
the fall of 1870, engaged as a farm hand. 

' DO 

In the fall of that year he came to Black 
Kiver Falls, and a few days afterward to this 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



191 



county, where he worked in the pineries four 
winters and three summers for IJrij^lit & 
Withee, after vvhicli he became their foreman. 
In the spring of 1868 he settled on his pres- 
ent farm of 280 acres, 160 of which is located 
here and 120 acres near Thorp, and thirty- 
five is cleared. 

Mr. Mathison was married January 12, 
1886, to Mary E. Bnyatt, a native of Black 
River Falls, born August 16, 1866, the 
daughter of William Buyatt, deceased. They 
have two children: Bertha J. and Oscar. 
Religiously Mr. Mathison is a member of 
the Lutheran Church. 



fOHN BOLGER, a successful farmer of 
Jackson County, was born in Irving, 
this county, March 8, 1855, the son of 
John Bolger, who was born in Wexford 
County, Ireland, in 1823. About 1845 he 
came to this country, and in 1854 settled 
in Jackson County, and at his death owned 
600 acres of land in the town of Irving. 
Politically ho was a Democrat, and religiously 
a !nember of the Catholic Church. Our sub- 
ject's mother, Mary (Bolger) Bolger, was 
born in Kilkenny County, Ireland, and is 
now living with her son James in Irvine 
Jackson County. She is a daughter of John 
and Margaret Bolger, both natives of that 
country, and members of the Catholic Church. 
Mr. and Mrs. Bolger had five children, 
namely: Mary A., John, James, Margaret 
and Mary A. Only two aie still living: 
John and James. 

The subject of this sketch was reared and 
educated on a farm in Irving, this county. 
He lived with his father until the latter's 
death in 1880, and now owns 350 acres in 
section 22, most of which he inherited from 
his father, and where he carried on general 



farming and stock-raising. Politically he is 
a Democrat, and is a member of the Town 
Board. 

Mr. Bolger was mai-ried January 31, 1882, 
to Loretta Crawley, who was born in this 
county, yeptember 2'J, 1860, the daughter of 
Michael and Deborah (Graham) Crawley. 
Tlie parents were both natives of Ireland, but 
came to this country in an early day, and sub- 
sequently located in Jackson Couyty, Irving 
Township, where the father died, and where 
the mother still resides. He was a farmer by 
occupation, and buth were members of the 
Catholic Church. Mr. and Mrs. Bolger have 
live children, viz.: John R., James M., 
Charles R., Hugh J. and Archie W. 



jTBA C. BARR, a blacksmith of Longwood, 
ffl was born in Zorra, Oxford County, On- 
^ tario, August 16, 1842, the son of George 
(deceased) and Martha (Richardson) Barr, 
the former a luvtive of New York State, and 
the latter of Ontario. The father was a 
farmer by occupation, and was taken by his 
parents to Ontario when two years old. 
They had nine children, six of whom survive: 
Ira, Esther, Annie, Caleb, Abraham and 
Ransler. 

The subject of this sketch was i-eared to 
faun life, and received his education in the 
common schools of his native county, where 
lie also learned his trade when a young man. 
lie removed to Lapeer County, Michigan, 
in January, 1865, where, and at other points 
in the same State, he lived several years, work- 
in"- in the saw-mills in the summer, and in the 
blacksmith shops in winter. He came to 
Greenwood, this county, in 1878, and remained 
until 1886, and in that year removed to 
Longwood, where he has since followed his 



193 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF 



trade. He also owns four and a half acres of 
land in tiiis place. 

Mr. Barr was married November 11, 1870, 
to Charlotte Fusee, born Auo;ust 10, 1848, 
the daughter of Anthony and Louisa (Mc- 
Nally) Fusee, the former a native of Paris, 
France, and the latter of Lower Canada. 
Thej were the parents of thirteen children, 
eleven of whom still survive, viz.: Sarah, 
Louis, Charles, Mary, Charlotte, Adelia, 
James, Frank, Jane, Jeanette and Emma. 
The two deceased, Margaret and Melissa, 
had married, and left families. The father 
left his native country when fourteen years 
of age, and settled in Lower Canada. He 
now resides in Fargo, Michigan. Mr. and 
Mrs. Barr had seven children, four of whom 
are now living: Anthony, George, Jessie and 
Albert. Socially Mr. Barr is a member of the 
I. (). O. F. fraternity, and politically a Re- 
publican. Both himself and wife are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

-«.> | « S m S ' | « « >^ 




iigr^MrtRS. EMMA MILLER has clearly 
demonstrated what can be accom- 
plished by a woman of energy and 
intelligence. By the many excellent traits 
of character she possesses and by her busi- 
ness management and tact she has won recog- 
nition from the community in which she 
makes her home. 

Mrs. Miller was born in Bradford County, 
Pennsylvania, September 27, 1847. Her 
parents were New York people, her mother's 
ancestors having come to this country from 
Germany. She came West thirteen years 
aero with her cousin and located in Neills- 
ville, Wisconsin, where siie remained four 
years. Previous to her marriage to Mr. 
Phillip S. Miller, she was employed as 
manager iti his hotel. Ten years ago he re- 



moved frotn Neillsville to Merillon, where he 
conducted the hotel which he bought of Mr. 
Hoson, until the time of his death, in 1887. 
His widow succeeded him in the business 
and managed the establishment in such a 
way as to relieve the property from all in- 
cumbrances. She settled up the estate her 
husband left and paid off all claims on the 
same, doing it in a manner that gave entire 
satisfaction to her debtors and reflected credit 
on herself. She has run the hotel until the 
present, except for two months, when it was 
rented. She also owns another nice property 
in Merillon. 

"' '• ■^ • i i I t ' l l'-' " 



fOUN H. BAILLET, superintendent of 
the Sawyer farm, section 28, Hixton 
Township, Clark County, was Itorn in 
Cattaraugus County, New York, January 
28, 1827, the son of Francis E. Baillet (de- 
ceased), a native of Baltimore, Maryland 
He was for nine years clerk of Cattaraugus 
County, and was also deputy clerk several 
terms. He came to Wisconsin in 1868, and 
soon afterward settled in Black River Falls, 
where he died a few years ago. Our sub- 
ject's mother, nee Elizabeth Horton, was 
born in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, De- 
cember 27, 1800, and now lives in La Crosse, 
Wisconsin. She is blind, but otherwise en- 
joys good health. Of the parents' eight 
children, live still survive, namely: John H. 
George W., Lydia J., Frank and Pamelia 
One son, Harry, died when twenty-one years 
of age. 

John IL, our subject, was reared on a 
farm, and educated in the common schools of 
his native State. He participated in the late 
war, in Company D, One Hundred and Sev- 
ei ty-ninth New York Volunteer Infantry, 
enlisting February 13, 1864, and was dis- 



Ql.AHK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



193 



charged in June, 1865. lie was in the siege 
of Petersburg, and lielped make the charge 
that drove Lee's army out of the city. lie was 
Sergeant on detached duty mostly, and missed 
several of tlie hardest ])attles. His brother, 
George, was a Lieutenant in the war, in the 
Thirty-seventh New York Regiment, served 
one and a half years, and was discharged for 
disability. Our subject removed to Caroline 
County, Virginia, in 1868; returned to New 
York in 1870; and then came to this county 
in tiie spring of 1872. lie Hrst ran a lum- 
ber catnp for Sawyer in townsiiip 26, near 
Greenwood, where he remained until August, 
1878. He was engaged in running lumber 
camps every winter, and farming in the sum- 
mer. He cleared most of this farm, which 
consists of 260 acres. In August, 1878, lie 
went to Gary, Deuel County, Dakota, and 
took up a iiomestead, which he entered and 
proved up, where he was engaged in farming 
until May, 1890. He then returned to Wis- 
consin, and took charge of this farm. The 
Sawyer farm, of which he is foreman, con- 
tains many buildings, and among them are 
two large barns which are supplied with wa- 
ter from a wind-pump, so that the stock ca!i 
all be watered witiiout removing from their 
stalls. 

Mr. Baillett was married in April, 1850, to 
Margaret G. Carpenter, a native of Cattarau- 
gus County, New York, and a daughter of 
Isaac Carpenter, deceased. They have had 
one child, Ellen, who died at the age of nine 
years. The mother died in September, 1851, 
and Mr. Baillet was again married, in July, 
1854, to Olive B. Ackley, a native of Madi- 
son County, New York. They have had two 
children: Fred and George. The former died 
in Dakota, October 18, 1887, and the latter is 
a resident of Gary, Dakota. He is married 
to Luny Davison, and they have two chil- 
dren: Beverly G. and Nela E.. Mrs. Baillet 

14 



died October 24, 1887, just six days after 
their son. Her death was caused by a nerv- 
ous shock at his death. Mr. Baillet never 
seeks office, but has been induced to S(!rvc on 
the School Board. Socially he is a member 
of the G. A. K., Odd Fellows and Masons. 
Mrs. Baillet was a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, of which our subject was 
formerly a member, and although he has not 
renounced Christianity lie is a firm believer 
in the existence of spii-its. He has had suffi- 
cient evidence to prove to him that his de- 
])arted friends see and know what he does, as 
they have often communicated with liim. 



^UGH II. PRICE, the only surviving 
son of the late Hon. William T. Price, 
was born at Black River P'alls, Decem- 
ber 2, 1859. He received his education in 
the Union High School of his native town, 
and at the Wisconsin University. The ster- 
ling traits of the father have descended to 
the son, and while a mere youth he evinced 
capabilities that have won liim a first rank in 
business circles. When a boy he was en- 
trusted with important responsibilities per- 
taining to the vast logging interests of his 
father, and upon the death of the latter he 
was well fitted to take full charge of the 
business. 

The most notable event in the career of 
Mr. Price in his election, January 18, 1887, 
to the last session of the Forty-ninth Con- 
gress, to serve the unexpired term of his 
lamented father whose death occurred the 
6th day of the preceding December. His 
nomination and election, while a tribute to 
the memory of his father, are an houoi^, of 
which he is jiersonally deserving. The vote 
cast was 12,238, Republican, against 5,209, 
Democratic. 



194 



BIOGRAPHICAL BISTORT OF 



Mr. Price has also been called to fill vari- 
ous local positions of trust and honor; he has 
been a member of the City Council, a mem- 
ber of the Jackson County Board, and Secre- 
tary of the Jackson County Agricultural 
Society. In 1888 he was elected to the 
State Senate of Wisconsin, representing the 
people of the Tliirty-second District. In all 
the duties devolving upon him he has exhib- 
ited more than ordinary ability; he is well 
informed on all public questions, and is in 
all respects a progressive citizen. He is un- 
married, and resides with his mother and 
sister in their beautiful home in Black River 
Falls. 



fANE GATES is the widow of Daniel 
Gates, late of Clark County, Wisconsin. 
An outline of her life and that of her 
worthy husband is herewith given. Mrs. 
Gates is a native of New York, horn De- 
cember 4, 1828. Her parents settled in Wis- 
consin at an early day and brought with them 
three children to this State. She is the old- 
est of the family, was educated in the com- 
mon schools of New York, and was married 
in Essex County, that State, April 23, 1848, 
to Daniel Gates. He was born in Washing- 
ton County, New York, but was educated in 
the common schools of Essex County. They 
reared a family of five children, viz.: Ade- 
laide, James L., Charley, Eddy and Nellie. 
All are married except one. Mr. Gates was 
employed in the iron works of Essex County, 
and for a time was a contractor in New York. 
He saved up $500, but when he canie to Wis- 
consin in 1856 he had only $40 with which 
to begin life in the new State, and his family 
consisted of wife and three children. Here 
he worked on the bridge over Black Kiver, 
and for awhile kept a hotel at the mouth of 



Wedge's Creek. They came to Neillsville 
in 1861, and bought twenty acres of land, 
the place on which his widow now resides. 
This he increased by more recent purchases 
until at the time of his death the homestead 
contained fifty-six acres. He also owned 
other real estate and was in well-to-do cir- 
cumstances. His death occurred June 28, 
1885. Mr. Gates was a prominent man in 
the community where he lived. He was a 
Democrat, and always took an active part in 
political matters. He was School Director 
for several years. Magistrate two years, mem- 
ber of the Town Board several terms. Com- 
missioner of Clark County one term, and 
Sheriff of the county two years, having been 
elected to the latter ofiice in 1860. He was 
a director in the Clark County Bank several 
years, and by the dishonesty of the cashier 
lost about $2,000. 

Mrs. Gates has passed through many hard- 
ships. During the early settlement of this 
county she experienced much of pioneer life. 
She came to ISIeillsvilie in a stage, bringing 
her three little children, all sick at the time. 
She is now in comfortable circumstances, liv- 
ing on the old homestead with her daughter. 




RS. JANE GREEN (formerly Mrs. 
Christie), of section 34, Eaton Town- 
ship, was born in London, England, 
December 1, 1834, the daughter of William 
and Hannah (Hempstock) Bingham, both 
natives of England. The father brought his 
family to the United States in the spring of 
1836, settling in La Crosse Valley. He was 
a miller by trade, and ran the Lewis Flour- 
ing Mill in Lewis Valley, La Crosse County, 
several years. He died there in 1861; the 
mother died in this city in May, 1879, at the 
age of eighty four years. The parents had 



CLARK AND JAGKmN COUNTIES. 



195 



throe cliildren, two of whom still survive: 
Mary A., now the wife of William Ilemp- 
stock, of McMinnville, Oregim; and Jane, 
our suhject. The deceased, William A., died 
in McMinnville, June 28, 1890, at the age of 
seventy years. 

The suhject of this sketch was niarrie<l 
December 30, 1857, to Komeo Bostwick, a 
native of Verniont, and they had four chil- 
dren: Isaac C, Henry A., Martin 13. and 
George B. Isaac married Annie Sisco, and 
has three children: Sarah, Ella M. and an in- 
fant daughter. Henry married Mary Stanly, 
and has two children — Charles and Agnes. 
George married Mrs. Alice Ross, daughter of 
John W. Coiigley, of this city. Mrs. Bost- 
wick had two children by a former marriage 
— Archie 1'. and Maggie A. lioss. Mr. 
Bostwick was a soldier in the late war, in 
Company L, Second Wisconsin Cavalry, and 
died in the service. His widow was again 
married, October 4, 1865, to James Christie, 
a native of Green County, Pennsylvania, 
born May 8, 1840, and by this union there 
were four children — Martha J., Minnie M., 
Eleanor P. and Joseph. Martha married 
John T. Farning, of this city, and has one 
child — Annie B. Minnie married Thomas 
Chadwick, of Neillsville, and has two chil- 
dren — Joseph and Sabrina. Eleanor married 
Adolph Henip, of Weston Township, this 
county. Mr. Christie died October 3, 1883, 
and his widow was again married, July 5, 
1889, to Henry Green, a native of the State 
of New York. He had four children by a 
former marriage. 

Mr. Green worked many j'ears in a saw- 
mill of Mr. Earning, near the homestead of 
Mrs. Green. The latter came to this county 
with her husband, Mr. Christie, in the fall of 
ISnS, where she has since i-esided. She owns 
forty acres of land, and has lived in her 
present residence eighteen years. She is a 



member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
at Greenwood. 



[HARLES W. DYKINS,of Black River 
Falls, is now engaged in the insurance 
business in that city, but was for some 
time editor and proprietor of the Jackson 
Coiinty Journal. He is a native of Wis- 
consin, having been born in Baraboo, Sauk 
County, July 31, 1851. His father, James 
Dykins, is still a resident of Baraboo, where 
he was an early settler. Charles W. spent 
his early life in his native town, and there 
learned the trade of a printer. In 1879 he 
started the Sauk County Republican, and 
one year later sold the paper to H. B. Hans- 
brough, abandoning his trade to enter the 
railway mail service. He was in the employ 
of the Government for a period of two years, 
and in 1883 he came to Black River Falls 
and took charge of the printing department 
of J. W. Cole & Co. In the month of Feb- 
ruary, 1886, the Jackson County Journal 
was founded, Mr. Dykins being one of the 
company to embark in this enterprise. He 
remained with this concern for a year, and 
then resumed his former position with J. W. 
Cole & Co. In February, 1889, he assumed 
control of the Journal, became its editor, 
and continued in this capacity until Decem- 
ber 18, 1890. He then retired from the 
editorship, and the paj)er passed into the 
hands of the Journal Publishing Company. 

Mr. Dykins is now devoting his energies 
to the life and lire insurance business, and is 
well fitted for this line of work. He is a 
man of enterprise, public spirit, and has a 
genial, cordial manner that always wins him 
friends in every walk of life. 

Politically he afliliates with the Democratic 
party, and when he had charge of the Jour- 



196 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF 



not conducted it in the interests of tliat 
organization. 

— g - 3 .' I - | *>- 

kANSOM PETERSON, a stone mason 
of Greenwood, was born in Prince Ed- 
ward County, Canada West, May 18, 
1858, the son of William (deceased) and 
Elizabeth (Stoneburg) Peterson, both natives 
of Canada. The parents had eight children, 
five of whom are now living: Peter J., John, 
Jacob E., Abner L. and Ransom. The father 
died, and the mother was married to Stephen 
Fitch, by whom she had two children, only 
one of whom still survives, Hattie. Ransom 
was reared to farm life, and received but a 
limited education, as his father died when he 
was an infant, and his mother was poor and 
had a family of small children to support. 
Our subject's twin brother, Mansoin, died at 
the age of eighteen years in Tunnel City, 
Wisconsin. Mr. Peterson first went to work 
in a cheese factory when but fourteen years 
old, and followed the same until 1876, when 
he came to this county. He worked the fol- 
lowing winter in the pineries for Tom Miller, 
and in the spring of 1877 went to Tunnel 
City and worked at the stone mason's trade; 
July 26 of the same year he went to Olmsted 
County, Minnesota, and worked one year on 
a farm; in the fall of 1878 he was married, 
after which he came to this county and settled 
in Greenwood. After a few years he returned 
to Tunnel City, remained three years, then 
spent three years in Minnesota, and in the 
fall of 1888 bought a good residence in 
Greenwood, which he still occupies. He 
also owns thirty-five acres by the railroad, on 
a part of which the depot now stands, and he 
is now clearing this tract, which is growing 



very 



valuable. 



Mr. Peterson was married September 22, 



1878, to Lydia Amos, a daughter of Christ 
Amos, of Olmsted County, Minnesota. They 
have had seven children, six now living, viz.: 
Maud, Ethel, Josephine, Richard, Lydia and 
Ransom. One daughter, Mabel, died at the 
age of three years and four montiis. Polit- 
ically Mr. Peterson is a Republican. 



jEV. COURTLAND M. KEACH, of 
M^ Albion, Jackson County, was l)oin in 
'•%^ Washington County, Wisconsin Janu- 
ary 23, 1850, the son of Rex Keach, who 
was born in Chautauqua County, New York, 
February 23, 1810. In 1846 he removed to 
Washington County, in 1852, went to La 
Crosse County, this State, and in 1853 came 
to Albion Township, Jackson County, where 
he worked in a mill for Mr. Spaulding until 
1856. He then removed to Manchester 
Township, where he remained until his death, 
which occurred in 1863. Politically he was 
a Democrat until 1860, since which time ho 
has been united with the Republican party. 
He held several minor ofiices, and was in 
moderate circumstances financially. He was 
of English and German extraction. Our 
subject's mother, Susannah, (Husted) Keach, 
was born at Staffordville, Dutchess County, 
New York, August 11, 1826, and is still 
living. 

The subject of this sketch was reared and 
educated in Jackson County, Wisconsin, and 
also in the common schools of Black River 
Falls. At an early age he took a pi-ivate 
course of study for the ministry, as an Advent 
Christian. In 1883 he bought a house and 
a few acres of land on section 23, Albion 
Township, where he now lives. In 1885 he 
was elected Treasurer of Albion Township, 
which position he iield one year, and in the 
winter of 1886 was appointed Town Clerk, of 



CLARK AND JACKSOV COUNTIES. 



197 



wliicli lie is the present iiieuinbent. lie still 
continues in the work of the ministry, having 
two churches under his pastorate at present. 
Politically he is a Proliibitionist. Mr. Keach 
was married Novetnher 7, 1873, to Sarah E. 
Barnum, who was born in the State of New 
York, February 22, 1852, the daughter of 
Israel and Elizabeth (Chariton) Barnum, na- 
tives also of New York. The parents subse- 
qnently came to Jackson County, Wisconsin, 
locating in Manchester Township, where the 
father was engaged in farming. lie has held 
several minor offices, and was Town Clerk for 
about twenty years, having held tlie office 
constantly for fifteen years. lie has also 
officiated as county surveyor in his county. 
Mr. and Mrs. Keach have had four children: 
Josephine, Frank A., Effie M. and Clarence 
C, three of whom are living — one having 
died in infancy. 



|ETEll J. KLEIN, of section 13, Eaton 
»' Township, Clark County, was born in 
Nierstein, on the Rhine, Province of 
Ilessen-Darmstadt, May 4, 1857, the son of 
George Klein (deceased), a native of the same 
country. The latter brought his family to 
the United States in 1870, settling in She- 
boygan County, Wisconsin, and snl>sequently 
removed to Clark County, in the fall of 1873, 
and settled in Loyal Township. Our subject 
came at once to Eaton, where he commenced 
work as a farm hand. In October, 1885, he 
settled on this present farm of 120 acres, 
iifteen of which is cleared. Durintr the win- 
ters he is engaged in the pineries, and in the 
summers works on his farm and at other 
occupations. 

Mr. Klein was married Autrust 20, 1882, 
to Elizabeth Condon, who was born near 
Peterboro', Upper Canada, the daughter of 



Josepli Condon, a native of County Cork, Ire- 
land. They had four children, three of 
whom survive: John P., born May 28, 1883; 
Certrnde, May 24, 1887, and Oswald, De- 
cember 22, 1889. Joseph L. died at the age 
of nine months. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kleiu 
are members of the Catholic Church. 



^ULEF II. GILE, proprietor of the Wis- 
consin Leader, Merillon, Wisconsin, 
was born in Addison, New York, Nov- 
ember 20, 1854, son of K. S. and A. E. Gile. 
His early education was received in the dis- 
trict schools of Pennsylvania. In 1866 he 
came to Wisconsin with his mother and 
located in Waushara County, where he re- 
mained for twelve years and for nine years 
worked in a printing office. He came to 
Jackson County and settled in Merillon in 
1878. Here he became the proprietor of the 
Leader, and in this enterprise has been very 
successful, having established a large cir- 
culation. He was married, Jannary 3, 1875, 
to Miss Charlotte I. Ilerrick, of Wautoma, 
Wisconsin. She was born in 1855, and was 
educated in the common schools of this State. 
Her parents were among the early pioneers 
of Wisconsin. Mr. Gile associates with the 
Masonic Order. Politically he is a Repub- 
lican. 



lEV. J. F. VOLZ is the present pastor of 
Saint Mary's (Catholic) Church at 
Neillsville, Wisconsin. Religious ser- 
vices were tirst held in the present church 
building in 1878. It is a substantial structure 
of brick, and was erected at a cost of $3,500. 
In connection with the church there is a 
school building, which was completed in 



198 



BIOORAPUWAL U I STORY OF 



1887. St. Mary's Parochial School has an 
average attendance of seventy pupils. The 
parsonage, or priest's residence, is a comfort- 
able dwelling, and the style of it is in keeping 
with the other surroundings. The congrega- 
tion of St. Mary's Church numbers about one 
hundred and twenty-five families, about 
equally divided as residents of the town and 
adjoining country. 

Catholic religious services liave been held 
in Neillsville regularly since 187(j; previous 
to that date they were conducted only occa- 
sionally. Among the names prominent in 
the promotion of the interests of the church 
throughout its history should be mentioned 
that of Mr. James Furlong, who was truly 
one of its chief benefactors. He donated the 
land on which the church property is located, 
and was ever a liberal and earnest supporter 
of the church. He was highly esteemed, was 
a public- spirited citizen, and one of the hon- 
ored pioneers of Neillsville; his home was 
formerly in the State of Pennsylvania; his 
death occurred in 1884. 

The Rev. Father Volz has had charge 
of this congregation since 1879. He lias 
accomplished a great deal towards improving 
the church property in his time. When he 
came here the church was in a rough, unfin- 
ished state, and the congregation $1,000 
in debt. The church and its surround- 
ings have been much improved and the entire 
indebtedness removed through the faithful 
and energetic labors of the present pastor, and 
the hearty co-operation of the active members. 

The Kev. J. F. Volz was born at Prattsburg, 
in the State of Indiana, January 1, 1857; the 
same year his father, Melchior Volz, removed 
with his family to La Crosse, Wisconsin, and 
they have since made it their home. Mel- 
chior Volz is a well-kuown citizen, and a re- 
tired business man of the place. 

Father Volz received iiis earlier education 



in the parochial schools of La Cro3se, arid was 
graduated from St. John's Collejre at Prairie 
du Chien, Wisconsin, in 1873. He took his 
theological course at St. Francis Seminary, 
near Milwaukee ; was ordained priest Novem- 
ber 9, 1879, by the late Archbishop Heiss, 
and was well fitted for the work he has 
chosen. His present charge is his first one, 
and he has exhibited a marked ability in its 
management. . 



.UGUST F. SNYDER, a merchant of 
Neillsville, was born in Clark County, 
August 18, 1856, the son of German 
parents, who came to America in 1851. 
Upon their arrival in the United States they 
located in Cincinnati, Ohio, where they re- 
mained a few years, and where the father, N. 
F. Snyder, was engaged in work at the 
cooper's trade, a trade he had learned in the 
old country. Five children were born to 
them, two of whom are now living, the 
subject of this sketch being the oldest. The 
parents moved to Clark County, Wisconsin, 
and from there to Iowa, where they spent 
some time, after which they returned to 
Clark County. Here Mr. Snyder bought a 
quarter section of land from the Government, 
paying for it $1.25 per acre. At that time 
there was nothing but Indian trails from 
here to La Crosse and Sparta, and provisions 
had to be brought from those places. He 
employed the Indians to help him roll logs, 
and he worked in the logging camps nine 
winters. When Mr. Snyder landed in New 
York his only capital was fifty cents; but in 
this republic of ours the opportunities for 
success are boundless, and as the years passed 
by he saved his earnings and secured for 
himself a comfortable home. A man of irood 
judgment and oiu- who always made his word 



CLARE AND JACKSON COUNT IKS. 



199 



as good as liis bond, lie soon gained the re- 
spect of all who knew him. 

August F. received his education in tlio 
district schools of Clark County, and also in 
the public schools of Neillsville. He went 
with his father to Iowa, beintr engag-ed in the 
hotel business there for a time. After his 
return to Wisconsin he clerked one year in 
Toinah and one year at Unity. Then he 
went back to Iowa, and was in the railroad 
employ one year. 

In 1887 he was married, in Clark County, 
to Stella Sells. One child has been born to 
them. Mr. Snyder is now engau;ed in the 
clothing business in Neillsville, where he has 
worked up a good trade. lie is a member 
of tlie Masonic fraternity, having taken the 
deji;rees in the blue lodge, chapter and com- 
mandery. 

- " ' "S ' ^ ' ^ ' S 



(LI L. SNYDER, proprietor of a variety 
store in Thorp, was born in Michigan, 
December 2, 1861, the son of Levi and 
Anna (Valden) Snyder, — the former a native 
of Jefferson County, New York, who removed 
to Michigan when young; the mother was 
born near Attica, New York. The parents 
had eight children, tour of whom are now 
living: Lovina, now Mrs. George C. Howard, 
of Thorp; Warren, of Onalaska, La Crosse 
County, Wisconsin; Sarah, the wife of Lewis 
Barnes, also of Onalaska, and Eli L., the sub- 
ject of this sketch. The father brought his 
family to Tomah, Wisconsin, in the fall of 
1865, and died in Adrian, in 1872; the 
mother now lives in Onalaska. 

Eli L., our suliject, remained on a farm 
until eleven years of age, when his father 
died, and he was then thrown upon his own 
resources. He first worked a few months for 
his board in Cole's Valley; next for Mr. 



Howard si.\ months; then for Wallace Jack- 
son, of Jacksonville, Wisconsin, nearly two 
years; in 1875 went to Red Wing, Minne- 
sota, where he worked on a farm for Merritt 
Tripp seven months; then returned to Adrian 
and attended school that winter; the ne.xt 
summer worked in the saw-mills of Warren 
& Co.; in 1876 went to St. Paul, where he 
worked four months in a jewelry store; then 
as waiter in the Merchant's Hotel thereuntil 
the fall of 1877. He then came to Onalaska, 
Wisconsin, and that winter worked in the 
pitieries in Monroe County, for Warren & 
Co., and in the spring of 1878 went to St. 
Raul, remained four months, and then re- 
turned to Onalaska, whore he worked in a 
jewelry store a short time. Ne.Kt he went to 
the vicinity of Stevens' Point, where he 
worked in the pineries one winter for Brooks 
& Barrs; in the spring of 1879 he went to 
Appleton, Wisconsin, where he established a 
shooting gallery and confectionery stand, 
which he conducted six months, and then re- 
turned to Stevens' point. There Mr. Snyder 
entered the employ of the Inter-Ocean Circus, 
and traveled with that com|mny through 
Southern Wisconsin, leaving them at Racine. 
Late in the fall of the same year he went to 
Adrian, where he attended school, and in the 
spring of 1880 went to Onalaska, and was en- 
gaged in sorting logs on Black River several 
months, after which ho again attended school. 
Mr. Snyder worked in the pineries that win- 
ter on Yellow River for Joe Nesbit, and in 
the spring of 1881 went to St. Paul, where 
he worked in a jewelry store four months; 
next he returned to Onalaska and worked in 
a saw-mill; thence to Tunnel City, where he 
clerked in the store of George Howard; in 
1882 he entered into partnership with Mr. 
Howard, after which they came to Thor[) and 
built a store near the depot and engaged in 
general merchandising. This was in October, 



200 



DWOBAPnwAL nisTonr of 



1882. In 1883 Mr. Snyder dissolved part- 
iierslii]>, and soon afterward engaged in his 
])resent business, keeping a genera! variety 
of goods. He has a capital stock of $700, 
his annual sales amounting to about $2,500. 
He was married June 20, 1883, to Louisa 
Burke, who was born in Green Lake County, 
Wisconsin, December 15, 1863, the daughter 
of John Burke, of this city. They have 
three children: George L., William (deceased) 
and Levi J. Mrs. Snyder is a member of the 
Catholic Church, and politically Mr. Snyder 
is a Kepublican. 




IfEfflLLIAM WAGNER, editor and pro- 
prietor of the Courier, Thorp, Clark 
County, was born in Beaver Dam, 
Dodge County, Wisconsin, July 28, 1859, 
the son of Joseph Wagner, deceased, late of 
Beaver Dam, where he had lived since 1844, 
when the place was known as Grubville. 
The parents had live children, namely: 
Theresa, wife of Samuel J. Shafer, editor of 
the Phonograph of Colby, this county; 
Joseph, a business man of Beaver Dam; 
Mary L., now Mrs. Carl Van Neuport, a 
druggist of Stevens' Boiut, Wisconsin, and 
Belle, who is still in Beaver Dam. 

William Wagner, our subject, was edu- 
cated in the public schools of his native 
city, where he also learned the printer's 
trade in the Argus office, and also in the 
Flionograph office, of Colby. He worked a 
short time in Chicago, Illinois, and Buffalo, 
New York, and in November, 1883, came 
to Thorp, where he established the Courier, 
a spicy little sheet, a quarto, five-column. 
Mr. Wagner served as Postmaster during 
Cleveland's administration. 

He was marrieil December 23, 1885, to 
Kate Dirtuiond, who was born in St. Law- 



rence County, New York, March 8, 1867, 
the daughter of Daniel Diamond, of Eagle 
River, Wisconsin. They have two children: 
Maud, born December 3, 1886, and Florence 
K., March 30, 1889. 

te ' ^"* ' S" ' " 



LBION K. JAMES, of Melrose, Jack- 
son County, was born in New Hamp- 
shire, October 3, 1849, the son of 
Alonzo G. James, who was born in Deertield, 
New Hampshire, in 1826. In 1855 became 
to Richland Center, Richland County, Wis- 
consin, where he died, at the age of sixty 
years. He was a dealer in boots and shoes 
by occupation, and was a Prohibitionist po- 
litically, but in early years was a Republican. 
He was a very prominent man, and was 
President of the village of Richland Center, 
and also a member of the town board of 
Supervisors for several years. Our subject's 
mother, nee Eliza Knowlton, was also born 
in Deerfield, New Hampshire, and is now 
living at Richland Center, Richland County, 
Wisconsin. She is a daughter of Nathaniel 
and Eliza Knowlton, natives of New Hamp- 
shire. Mr. and Mrs. James had seven chil- 
dren, viz.: Albion K., Emma J., Lewis E., 
Charles F., Minnie, Mary and Anna, all of 
whom are living except Mary. 

The subject of this sketch, Albion K., 
the eldest child, was reared and educated in 
Richland Center. In 1873 he went to Hills- 
borough, Wisconsin, and in 1875 came to 
Jackson County, locating in the town of 
Millston. While residing at Millston he 
was elected Town Clerk. In 1878 he re- 
moved to Melrose, where he engaged in the 
mercantile business, which he still continues 
He is also proprietor of the Exchange Bank 
of Melrose. He is a prominent man, and 
has held a number of important offices. He 



GLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



310 



was Postmaster here for six years. He is 
treasurer of the Irviti^i; Insurance Company, 
of $500,000 capital, which lie has held for 
four years. Politically he is independent, but 
lie was formerly a Republican. He has repre- 
sented his town and county in several county 
and senatorial conventions at dilferent times. 
He has been twice elected Clerk of the School 
Board of Melrose graded school. He is a 
member of the Good Templars' Lod^e, at 
Melrose, and is also a member of the Baptist 
Church. He was treasurer of the Melrose 
Creamery Association for two years, and dis- 
bursed nearly $4:0,000 among the patrons of 
the company, to their satisfaction. 

Mr. James was married March 22, 1883, 
to Kate Tattle, who was born in Black 
River Falls, January 10, 1860, the daughter 
of Albert and Emeline (Jean) Tuttle. The 
mother was born in Ohio, in 1822, and died 
at the age of lifty-nine years, at Merrillon, 
in Jackson County, Wisconsin. The father 
was born in Connecticut in 1815, and died at 
Arcadia, in Trempealeau County, this State, 
on February 6, 1891. He was among the 
early settlers of Jackson County, having 
located at Black River Falls in 1850. Mr. 
and Mrs. James have had two childi'en: 
Bessie, born September 2, 1884, and Carrie, 
born February 14, 1887, who died August 7, 
1887. 



lUNCAN HARDISON, a representative 
citizen of Jackson County, Wisconsin, 
was born in Ft. Steenley, Canada West, 
February 20, 1821. He received his educa- 
tion in Canada, and in 1S3G, at the age of 
fifteen years, came to the United States and 
was employed at $6 per month in a grocery 
at Biittalu, New York. After that he went 
before the mast on lake vessels, servinsr first 



as cabin I)oy, then as cook, afterward as mate, 
and finally as master. During his experience 
on the lakes he saw rough times, and was in 
many a heavy gale. He came to Jackson 
County and settled in section 26, Garden 
Valley Township, where he still resides. Pre- 
vious to his coming here he bought eighty 
acres of wild land, which he has since cleared 
up and developed into a line farm. His 
buildings are in first-class condition, and 
everything about the place indicates pros- 
perity. When he came to this county Mr. 
Hardison had only $100, and all that he now 
has is the result of his own unaided efforts. 

The subject of this sketch has been twice 
married. By his first wife, whom he wedded 
in 1850, he had four children. His present 
wife, nee Mary A. Coon, was born in Livings- 
ton County, JSIew York, in 1861. Five chil- 
dren have been born to them, only two 
of whom are living. Mr. Hardison is a 
Republican. 



" ""^ ' lui ' ji '-^ 

LPERT J. BEILFUSS, yard-master in 
Nye, Leisk & Hudson's extensive lum- 
ber yards at Thorp, Clark County, was 
iiorn in Prussia, Germany, August 16,1858, 
the son of Charles and Joliannah (Schmidt) 
Beilfuss, both also natives of Prussia. They 
were the parents of ten children, six of whom 
are now living, namely: William, Charles, 
iMinnie, August, Albert and Bertha. Caro- 
line and Ollerike died after reaching ma- 
turity. The father brought his family to tlie 
United States in 1871, settling in Reed City, 
Osceola County, Michigan, where he still re- 
sides. Our subject lived in that city until 
the spring of 1881, when he came to Abbots- 
ford, this county, and kept a grocery two 
years, in 1883 he came to Thorp, where he 
has since worked for his present employers. 



303 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF 



having liad four years in the lumber yards iu 
Michigan. 

Mr. Beilf uss was married October 19, 1878, 
to Adelgnnde Stoever, a dangliter of Henry 
Stoever, of Kiel, Manitowoc County, Wis- 
consin. They have three children, — Arthur, 
Walter and Carl, — all of whom are at home 
and attending school. Mr. Beilf uss was 
brought up in the Lutheran faith, and is a 
Democrat politically. 



— •^>^' ; " i - S -- — 

vNNIE SUFFICOOL, widow of John 
ffil Sufficool, was born in Buffalo, New 
York, March 31, 1845, and received 
her education in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. By 
attending normal school she prepared herself 
for teaching, which vocation she followed 
four years in the district schools. Her father 
was born April 29, 1806, and died in Mil- 
waukee, August 24, 1854. He was a shoe- 
maker, and followed that trade a number of 
years. He had a fair education, and took 
pride in being posted on the topics of the 
day. Mrs. Sufficool is the oldest of a family 
of six children, live of whom are living. 
Her mother is now seventy-six years old. 

The subject of our sketch was married 
April 4, 1864, in Milwaukee, to John Suffi- 
cool, who was born in Pennsylvania, Febru- 
ary 2, 1834, and was educated in tlie public 
schools of his native county. At Mineral 
Point, AVisconsin, in 1862, he enlisted in 
Company B, Thirtieth Wisconsin Infantry, 
under Captain Burton. Was in Dakota on 
the Indian expedition, and was also in Frank- 
fort, Kentucky. During his whole service 
he was on guard duty, being Orderly Ser- 
geant of his company, and was honorably 
discharged in 1865. 

The war over, he returned home and for 
two years worked in the lead mines of Wis- 



consin, receiving small wages. Mr. Sufficool 
first took up his abode in Clark County 
when he was thirty-three years old; moved 
right into the woods, and when he had put 
up a log house he had just 50 cents left. 
Settling on the frontier at that early date, he 
met with many hardships. During the sum- 
mer he worked at stone-masonry, and in the 
winter spent his time in the woods. He 
bought a home in Weston, where he lived 
and where he cleared up twenty-five acres of 
land. For services rendered in the army he 
afterward received a pension. For sixteen 
years he was an invalid, suffering from a 
stroke of paralysis. He returned to Clark 
County, and made his home in Neillsvillo 
for three years. His death occurred in 1887. 
Mr. Sufficool was held in high esteem by a 
large circle of friends, and in his death the 
community lost a most worthy man. While 
residing in Weston he was chairman of the 
Town Board of Weston Township for many 
years. He was an honored member of the 
Masonic fraternity. 






IHARLIE A. L. VARNEY, a dealer in 
fresh and cured meats at Thorp, Clark 
County, was born in Norridgewock, 
Maine, April 25, 1865, the son of Hiram 
W. Varney, whose biography appears in this 
work. The latter emigrated to La Crosse 
County, Wisconsin, in July, 1865, remained 
four years, then went to Mitchell County, 
Iowa, two years later to La Crosse, thence to 
this county in 1873, settling in Warner 
Township, where he still resides. 

Charles A. L., our subject, was educated 
in the common schools of Warner Township, 
and also attended school one year at Neills- 
villo. He worked in the pineries in the win- 
ters, and farmed and cleared land in the 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



208 



summers, until August, 1890, when he came 
to Thorp and engaged in his present husi- 
ness. He lias a large trade, and keeps all 
kinds of fresh, salt and cured meats. Mr. 
Varney was married November 27, 1890, to 
Miss Nettie Vanairsdale, who was born near 
Saxeville, Wauehara County, Wisconsin, 
September 15, 1869, the daughter of Garrett 
Vanairsdale, of Saxeville. Mr. Varney is a 
member of the Modern Woodmen, and in his 
political views is a Kepublican. 



■'♦-x ^ ' X ^ S ^-"^ 

IfSERBERT I. BKACKETT, attorney and 
counselor at law of IJlack River Falls, 
is the present District Attorney of Jack- 
son County, to which position he was elected 
November 4, 1890. He was born in the vil- 
lage of China, Kenncl)ec County, Maine, De- 
cember 18, 1859. In 1863, his father, James 
ri. Brackett, emigrated with his family to 
Wisconsin and settled in Monroe County, 
where he still resides. James H. Brackett 
was born in the State of Maine in 1807, and 
belongs to an early New England family. 
His grandfather was born in the State of 
Massachusetts in 1717, and died in 1817; he 
was a soldier in the French and Indian war, 
but was too old for service in the war of the 
Revolution. James II. Brackett married 
Rose Brown, also a native of Kennebec 
County, and of an old New England family. 
She was born in JJrooks, Maine, in 1830; her 
father, Seth Brown, was born in Stoddard, 
New Hampshire, in 1790, and died in 1846, 
in China, Maine. His father was a native 
of the north of Ireland and came to this 
country when a yonng man, serving several 
years in the Continental army of the war of 
the Revolution. 

Tile maternal grandmother of Herbert I. 
Brackett was Hannah Whitney; she was born 



at Gorham, Maine, in 1794, and became the 
wife of Seth Brown. Her mother was Phcebe 
Hopkins, who was born near Cape Cod, Mas- 
sachusetts, in 1700, and married Asa Whit- 
ney. She was in Boston when that city was 
in possession of the British, and while it was 
besieged by General Washington, and at the 
surrender of the British forces. Asa Whit- 
ney, her husband, served as Major in a Mass- 
achusetts regiment in the Continental army, 
and her father and two bi-others were also 
soldiers in the same army. She was a niece 
of Stephen Hopkins, one of the immortal 
signers of the Declaration of Independence. 
She died at the advanced age of ninety-seven 
years, and for many years drew a pension 
from the Government in acknowledgment of 
the service rendered by her husband. 

James H. Brackett followed the occupa- 
tion of farming until the age of fifty-three 
years, when he went into the hotel business; 
later he embarked in the mercantile trade, 
but is now practically retired from business. 
He and his wife had born to them two sons 
and one daughter: Myron, Mary (deceased) 
and Herbert I. 

The last named, the subject of this sketch, 
was brought up in Monroe County, Wiscon- 
sin, where he attended the common-schools 
of Cataract until the age of seventeen years; 
he then entered the Galesville University, 
where he pursued his studies for three years; 
then a year was spent in the Normal School 
of Valparaiso, Indiana; for three years after 
leaving school he was engaged in the profes- 
sion of teaching in Monroe Coujity, but in 
1884 he entered the law office of Judge 
George M. Berry, of Black River Falls, and 
in March, 1887, he was admitted to the bar 
of Jackson County. He is now associated 
with Judge Berry, with whom ii partnership 
was formed in 1889. He was elected Jus- 
tice of the Beuce in 188D, on tiie peoplse' 



204 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF 



ticket, and re-elected in 1887. Politically he 
is a Democrat, his ancestors for several gen- 
erations having been Democrats of the Jeff- 
ersonian school. He belongs to the Knights 
of Pythias, Banner Lodge, No. 34; he is 
also a member of Shamrock Lodge, L O. O. 
F. Althongli one of the younger members 
of the Jackson County bar, he has already 
attained an excellent reputation as a lawyer. 
He is a gentleman of mucli native ability, 
and is highly esteemed and respected as a 
citizen. 

Mr. Brackett was united in marriage June 
14, 1886, in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, to Miss 
Catherine O. Williams, a native of Dodge 
County, Wisconsin, and a daughter of the 
Rev. David R. Williams. One daughter has 
been born of this marriage — Corrinue. 



fHOMAS O. MOSHER, a dealer in 
hardware, stoves, tinware and farm im- 
plements, of Thorp, Clark County, was 
born in Merricksville, Ontario, May 27, 1852, 
the son of Aaron Mosher, of Bangor, La 
Crosse County, Wisconsin, where he settled 
in 1857. He was a farmer nearly all his life, 
but is now retired. Thomas O. was reared 
on a farm, educated in the common schools, 
and was engaged in farm work until twenty- 
nine years old. In 1881 he came to Thorp, 
where he built a store and engaged in his 
present business. He carries a capital stock 
of $3,000, his annual sales being about $12,- 
000, which is constantly increasing. He 
keeps a tinner, who is also a clerk in the 
store. The past season he sold forty spring- 
tooth harrows, and also wagons, carriages and 
cutters. Mr. Mosher was Town Clerk of 
Thorp live years, and also held the office of 
Notary Public, Justice of the Peace and 
School Director, all in one year, and at the 



same time conducted a barber shop. He is 
Recording Secretary of the 1. 0. 0. F. Lodge. 
He was married December 7, 1881, to Eva 
Fullmer, a native of Ontario, Canada, but 
was taken to the State of Wisconsin when 
small, where she remained until the age of 
fourteen years, when they came to this 
county. She is a daughter of David Full- 
mer, of Loyal, this county. Politically Mr. 
Mosher is a Republican. 



INCENT B. NEWLAND, the present 
Postmaster of Melrose, was born in the 
town of Hard wick, Worcester County, 
Massaacluisetts, October 5, 1821, the son of 
Vincent C. Newland, who was born in Bris- 
tol County, Massachusetts, August 26, 1798. 
In 1832 he went to Warren County, Penn- 
sylvania; in 1833 to Erie County, same 
State; in 1835 to Holmes County, Ohio, and 
in 1852 returned to Worcester County, where 
he remained until 1855, in which year he 
came to Jackson County, Wisconsin, locating 
in the town of Melrose, where he died April 
17, 1886. He was a blacksmith by trade, 
and politically was a Republican, and held 
several township offices. His father, David 
Newland, was born in Massachusetts and 
died there at a good old age. He was a 
farmer by occupation. Our subject's mother, 
Betsey S. (ijrown) was born in Hardwick, 
Worcester County, Massachusetts, June 16, 
1800, and died in Jackson County, Wiscon- 
sin, at the age of eighty-four years. They 
were the parents of eight children, only three 
of whom are now living, viz.: Vincent B., 
Mary E. and Watson B. 

The subject of this sketch, Vincent B., 
was reared and educated to the age of eleven 
years on a farm in Worcester County, Mass- 
achusetts. In 1832 he went to VV^arreu 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



205 



County, Pennsylvania; in 1835 he went with 
his parents to Holmes County, Ohio; in 1848 
lie returned to Worcester County, Massa- 
chusetts, and in 1853 came to Jackson 
County, where he took up Government land. 
lie returned to Massachusetts and remained 
until 1857, when ho came back to Jackson 
County and was engaged on his farm until 

1865. In that year he rented his place and 
moved to the village of Melrose and opened 
a blacksmith shop, which he continued until 

1866. He next conducted a hotel until 1868, 
when he sold out and returned to his farm. 
In December, 1870, he came to the village 
of Melrose again, and engaged in the mer- 
cantile business. In February, 1871, he was 
appointed Postmaster of his city, which posi- 
tion he held until 1876. After his term had 
expired, he continued in the mercantile busi- 
ness until 1884, and five years later was 
again appointed Postmaster, which position 
he now holds. Politically ho is a Rej)ubli- 
can, and religiously is a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. 

Mr. Newland was married in March, 1844, 
to Prudence Tuttle, who was born in Liv- 
ingston County, New York, June 20, 1827, 
the daughter of Bishop M. and Rebecca 
(Cooper) Tuttle, both natives of Connecticut 
and of English extraction. They suljse- 
quently moved to Ohio, where the mother 
died. After her death the father camo to 
Jackson County, Wisconsin, where he spent 
the remainder of his life. He was a farmer 
by occupation, and also served in the war of 
1812. He was a very ]>rominont man in his 
time. Mr. Newland while in Massachusetts, 
in 1856, took an active part in the organiza- 
tion of the Republican party. In November 
of that year he was elected Representative in 
the Legislature. Mr. and Mrs. Newland have 
bad five children, namely: Hiram P., born 
December 27, 1844; nenjamin II., May 18, 



1847; Virgil M., November 13, 1851; 
Charles, December 2, 1857; and Wilbur F., 
February 14, 1866. Two are now deccnised: 
Iliram F., who was killed in the army, Oc- 
tober 30, 1864; Wilbur F. died May 2,' 1882. 

— " £ - 3. ' S - g- - — 



lOBERT J. RATES, a well-known busi- 
U,.^ ness man of Alma Centre, Wisconsin, 
is a native of the Green Mountain 
State, born in Rrookfield, March 6, 1840. 
He came with his father to Wisconsin in 
May, 1850, and settled in Fond du Lac, 
Robert being the youngest child in the 
family. They removed to Alma Centre 
in 1856, and the father engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits. In those days educational 
advantages were limited and the subject of 
our sketch walked six miles to the district 
school. He remained with his parents until 
he was twenty-one years old, the time of his 
entering the army. He enlisted as a private 
in Company G, Tenth Wisconsin Regiment, 
under Captain William Moore, and was after- 
ward promoted as First Sergeant. Ho par- 
ticipated in the battles of Perryville and 
Stone River and was in the hottest of tlie 
light. At the first battle of Perryville half 
his regiment was killed. His comrades were 
falling on all si(les, and when the ammunition 
was exhausted and they wore ordered to fall 
back he was the only one left for a distance 
of ten feet on either side. In the spring of 
1862 he was at Iluntsville, Alabama. Cap- 
tain Moore was killed near Huntsville, Ala- 
bama, by bushwhackers, in a tight in which 
Mr. Bates and his company were enrrac-od. 
At Chickamauga their company suflered 
heavy losses. Other battles in which Mr. 
Bates took part were Hoover's Gap, Mission- 
ary Ridge and Peach Tree Creek, and he 
went with Sherman in his campaign as far 



306 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORT OF 



as Atlanta. After three years' service as 
a faithful soldier he was honorably dis- 
charcred November 5, 1864. He then re- 
turned to Jackson County, Wisconsin, worked 
in the lumber woods and for three years 
ran on the Black and Mississippi rivers. He 
bought a quarter section of land, three miles 
and a half from Alma Centre, where he was 
successfally engaged in farming from 1867 
until 1883. During that time, in 1871, he 
was elected Sheriff, tilling tlie office two 
years. In 1883 he was engaged in the drug 
business, in which he has continued up to 
the present time. He was appointed Post- 
master in 1883, and iield that office until 
May, 1886; was re-appointed Postmaster 
April, 1889, and is still holding the office at 
this date. He served as Clerk of Alma 
Township one year and as Justice of the 
Peace two years. 

Mr. Bates was married, in 1877, to Mrs. 
Susan Hursey, a widow. Four children have 
been born to them, — two boys and two girls, — 
all having good educational advantages. Mrs. 
Bates is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. He is associated with the Masonic 
order, blue lodge and Royal Arch Masons, 
the I. O. O. F., G. A. R. and the Modern 
Woodmen. Politically he has always been 
a Kepublicau. 



^ g - i " r - > 




ll'M^li: ^^- SMITH, a general merciiant of 
Withee, Clark County, was born in 
i® Manitowoc, Wisconsin, August 11, 
1867, the son of Edward Smith, of tliis 
County. Our subject spent the first eleven 
years of his life in his native city, and in 
1878 came to this county, where he lived with 
his parents at Christie. He next went to 
Greenwood, and one year later, in 1881, to 
Longwood, where be worked with his father 



in a hotel, and also in the pineries for a time. 
He came to Withee in the summer of 1889, 
and established a general store in company 
with M. E. Lantz, but in July of the next 
year Mr. Smith purchased his partner's in- 
terest. He now keeps a general stock of 
goods, and has a capital stock of $2,000. 
His sales the first year amounted to $8,000, 
and have been constantly increasing since 
that time. Mr. Smith is very obliging, 
genial to his customers, sells at reasonable 
prices, and thus is securing the confidence 
and respect of the people. In addition to 
his store he also owns forty acres of land on 
section 3, Hixton Township, twenty-three 
acres of which is cleared and under cul- 
tivation. 

He was married December 4, 1889, to 
Clara Moody, who was born in La Crosse 
County, Wisconsin, a daughter of James C. 
Moody, whose biography appears in this 
work. Mr. Smith is a member of the Mod- 
ern Woodmen, and is now holding the office 
of Notary Public. 

— ''♦■>i | » S ii ; ' | f»~ — ' 

fAMES C. MOODY, of section 9, Hixton 
Township, Clark County, was born in 
Monroe Township, Perry County, Ohio, 
November 7, 1837, the son of Hiram Moody, 
a native of Topsham, Maine, born August 20, 
1810. He was a coast sailor in the cod 
fislieries several years, and also worked in 
tiie pineries during the winters. He removed 
to Ohio in 1827, and in 1852 came to Wis- 
consin, where he bought 820 acres of land 
from the United States Government in Ver- 
non, then Badax County. In 1854 ho brought 
his family to this State, and settled on Round 
Prairie, one and a half miles from Viroqua, on 
land he purchased from theState. Oursubject's 
mother, nee Sarah Longstreth, was born at 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



207 



James' Mill, Muskingum County, Ohio, De- 
cember 20, 1810, about eight miles from 
Zanesville. She was one of the first white 
children born in that county. Her brothers 
were noted drovers, and our subject went 
with them over southern Ohio, driving stock 
to various points. Iler uncle, Michael Long- 
streth, owned large estates of coal land in 
southern Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Moody had 
six children, all of whom grew to maturity, 
and five are now living, namely: James C, 
Catharine, Martha, Nathan E. and Abigail. 
One son, Bartholomew L., was killed at the 
battle of Corinth while fighting for the 
Union. The father served three years in the 
late war, in Company C, Eighteenth Wiscon- 
sin Volunteer Infantry, was wounded at Slii- 
loli, and now draws a pension. 

James C. Moody, our suliject, also served 
in the late war, in Company I, Sixth Wiscon- 
sin Iron Brigade, serving four years, lie 
was in the battles of Gainesville, Second Bull 
Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Rappahan- 
nock, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Get- 
tysburg and the Wilderness. He was 
wounded in the right thij^li at the battle 
of the Wilderness and loft lying near 
the battle-ground without any protection 
from the rain and storms, was taken a pris- 
oner and held for thirty-one days. He caught 
cold, and both ears swelled shut, having lost 
the hearing entirely of the right ear. He 
was taken to Belle Isle, where he was kept 
for some time, then to Lynchburg, where a 
great sore came on the back of his head, 
which was infested with maggots. They 
were nearly starved in prison, and often had 
to eat spoiled meat, and many of his comrades 
starved to death. lie lost fifty-eight pounds 
in weight while in prison. While they were 
being removed from Lynchburg, a railroad 
bridge took fire, and while the guards were 
busily at work to extinguish it Mr. Moody 



and five others escaped. After wandering 
for seven days and nights, almost starved, 
and at ti)nes nearly recaptured by rebel cav- 
alry passing within a few rods of them, they 
evaded their pursuers, traveled over 120 
miles, and reached Chesapeake Bay. Here 
they made a raft l)y lashing two bridge tim- 
bers together, and were making their way 
across the bay when they were met by a 
passing Union steamer, laden with wounded 
soldiers from Petersburg, and were taken on 
board. They were so nearly starved that 
they had to be guarded to prevent them from 
injuring themselves by eating too much. 
They had been two or three days with noth- 
ing to eat. At one pla.e one of the party 
slipped slily into the negro quarters of a 
plantation, while the others lay concealed in 
the brush of a ravine near by, and at once 
made his wants known. The woman put a 
S]>lendi(l dinner in a basket, and an old ne^ro 
man took his fisliing pole and the basket and 
started down the ravine toward tlio creek, 
where he sat the basket down and be^an 
fishing. The boys came up, had a feast, and 
had enough left for another meal. They were 
also helped at other points by the slaves. 
Mr. Moody afterward returned to his reo-i- 
ment, and was in the battles of First and 
Second Hatcher's Run, Boydtown Plank 
Road, Gravel Run, Five Forks, and was 
present at the surrender at Appomattox. 
He received a brevet Captain's commission 
for bravery on tiie battle-field, and also held 
all the non-commissioned offices in his com- 
pany. 

After the war Mr. Moody was engaged in 
farming two years in La Crosse County, 
Wisconsin, and then wont to the city of La 
Crosse, where he worked for C. C. Washburn 
as sawyer and filer during the summers, and 
scaled logs in the winters for twelve years. 
He then spent one year working for otiier 



208 



BIOORAPUICAL IIISTORT OF 



parties, and in 1881 came to this county, and 
took charge of a mill for Mr. Washburn, 
which he ran six years, and is a logging 
jobber. 

lie was married, November 7, 1860, to 
Ann E. S. Adams, who was born in Lowell, 
Massachusetts, April 24, 1840, the daughter 
of Lewis G. P. Adams, of Vernon County, 
this State. They had two children: Edwin 
L. and Clara. Edwin married Lucinda Amo, 
lives in Minneapolis, and has three children: 
Edwin L., Eobert I. and Walter E. Clara 
married Walter H. Smith, a merchant of 
Witliee, this county. Mr. Moody was mar- 
ried to his present wife, Ellen Carleton, a 
daughther of Thomas V. Carleton, of Neills- 
viUe, Wisconsin, May 12, 1878. The father 
was a Mexican soldier, and a pioneer of She- 
boygan County. Mrs. Moody was born in 
the latter county, June 22, 1850. Mr. 
Moody is a member of the G. A. R. and the 
A. O. U. W. fraternities at Withee. Has 
been Justice of the Peace for six years and 
has been Postmaster. Ho owns 520 acres of 
land, and draws a pension of $25 a month. 

Mr. Moody's genealogy is as follows: his 
grandfather, Nathan Moody, was born on 
Lake Umbagog, Maine, a son of Lawrence 
A., a son of Joshua R., a native of Muirkirk, 
Ayrshire, Scotland. The latter had a land 
grant from the king of England, with a com- 
mission as Lieutenant-Governor of the then 
Province of Maine. He crossed the ocean 
in 1692, and settled in Maine, where lie was 
the Governor for some time. His son Law- 
rence and another son were under General 
Wolfe at the Heights of Abraham ; the 
former was wounded there, his brother was 
killed, and his bones still lie on the Heights 
of Abraham. Nathan Moody and a brother 
were soldiers in the war of 1812, and an- 
other brother, Alexander, was in the Florida 
Seminole war, where he is supposed to have 



been killed. Our subject's uncle, James AV. 
Moody, was a soldier in the Mexican war. 
His grandfather on the maternal side, Bar- 
tholomew Longstreth, was a soldier in the 
war of 1812, under General Crogan, and a 
brother, Philip Longstreth, was also in the 
same war. Mr. Moody's brother, Nathan^ 
was President of the Wisconsin State Farm- 
ers' Alliance, and is now Secretary of the 
same. 

' fo * S ** S * ^' * **** 



ifSENRY J. WENDT, of section 15, 
Withee Township, Clark County, was 
born in Hanover, Germany, August 7, 
1840, the son of William Wendt, deceased, a 
native of the same place, where he died in 
1890, at the age of seventy-eight years. The 
parents had five children, namely: Uora, now 
Mrs. William Sauke of Hanover; Henry J., 
the subject of this sketch; Mary, who mar- 
ried William Schultz, of Hanover; William, 
of Longwood; and Sophia, now Mrs. Fred- 
erick Walter, also of Hanover. Henry J. 
came to the United States in 1868, settling in 
Allegan County, Michigan where he cleared 
a farm and lived until the spring of 1883, in 
which year he came to this county, and set- 
tled on his present farm of eighty acres, 
thirty-two of which he has since cleared. He 
has built a good house, barn and other neces- 
sary buildings. 

Mr. Wendt was married August 14, 1870, 
to ILuinah Lohrberg, who was born in Ma- 
honing County, Ohio, November 17, 1849, 
the daughter of August Lohrberg, deceased. 
Her parents had live children: David, of 
Allegan County, Michigan; Paulina, now 
Mrs. Henry Kanche, of Washington State; 
Lizzie, who married Jacoi) Schlintz, of Al- 
legan County; Hannah, the wife of our sub- 
ject, and John, of Allegan County. Mr. and 



i^^Bv- 




^Jo 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



a09 



Mrs. Wendt luul iiiiiecliildten, ei<^lit of whom 
are now livinir, viz.: William, Charles, David, 
John, Frederick, Amelia, Dora and Augnst. 
Religiously Mr. Wendt is a member oi! the 
Methodist Church, and politically a Repub- 
lican. 

[ENNIS CANNON, Jk., is a native of 
the Emerald Isle, born June 14, 1846. 
Dennis Cannon, his father, came to 
America when ho was twelve years old, but 
returned to his native land and remained 
there a number of years. lie crossed tiie 
Atlantic again, bringiniji; with him a family 
of four children, and located in St. Andes, 
New Brunswick. He afterward removoil to 
Wilmington, Delaware, where he was con- 
nected with a gun-powder factory. In 1855 
lie came West and settled in Columbia Coun- 
ty, Wisconsin, whore he engaged in farming. 
All of his nine sons and three daughters are 
liviua. He is a man of jjood habits and is 
highly esteemed by all who know him. 

The subject of this sketch received his 
education in tiie public schools of Portage, 
Wisconsin, and at the early age of fifteen years 
started out to look after his own interests, 
lie worked on a farm eleven months for one 
man, receiving seven dollars per month. 
Afterward he was in the employ of the Mil- 
waukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, for one 
year, firing extras. His next employment was 
in the lumberbusinesson the Wisconsin River, 
engaged in log-driving and niiming rafts of 
lumber from Jonny Bull to St. Louis, for nine 
years, and during that time saved up a few 
hundred dollars. For live years he was fore- 
iiKui of the work there, building the first 
dam above Merrill on the Wisconsin River at 
Pil liken Rapids. He came to Jackson County 
in 1873. Eight years he was employed as 

i5 



lumber inspector and shipper for C. N. 
Payne & Conipiny, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, 
from their mills at Merillon. 

July 2, 1876, he married Emma Lake, of 
Merillon. She was born in 1861, the dautrli- 
ter of New York parents. Her education 
was obtained in the public schools of Jack- 
sou County. Their union has been blessed 
with three children: two boys and one 
girl. Mr. Cannon resides in a neat farm res- 
idence, two miles west of Merillon and does 
business in town. He lias served two years 
as one of the Supervisors of the town of 
Alma. In his political views he is inde- 
pendent. 

fOSEPH SICIILER, an enterprisintr and 
well-to-do fiirmer, residing on section 
23, Garden Valley Township, Jackson 
County, was born in Wtirteiwberg, Germany, 
September 21, 1831. He came to the 
United States in 1849, and the first three 
years of his residence in this country were 
spent in New Jersey, where lie worked tiirouo-h 
the winter for $6 per month and in the 
summer did gardening for $10 per month. 
He then spent one year in Southern Illinois 
and one year in Iowa, after which, in the fall 
of 1855, he came to Jackson County, AV^is- 
consin. Hero he worked in the woods one 
winter, at $26 a month, and bought forty 
acres of land which he cleared up. The 
country was wild, settlers were few and pro- 
visions had to be brought froTn La Crosse by 
wagons, and consequently were very hiirh. A 
barrel of pork was worth $50 and flour cost 
$13 to $14 a barrel. 

In 1856 Mr. Sichler returiusd to New Jer- 
sey, and on April 11, was united in marriage 
with Miss Elizabetii McGovern, the tirst 
couple man-ied in this neighborhood, in 



210 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF 



Hayden school-house. She was born in 
County Cavan, Ireland, March 17, 1836, came 
to America with her brother, and worked in 
one family in New Jersey for seven years. 
Their union has been blessed with ten chil- 
dren, and although they have had much sick- 
ness in their family their children are all 
living. All have received a' good education 
and five of them are married and settled in 
life. Mrs. Sichler has been a helpmate to her 
husband in more ways than one. During the 
dark days of the civil war she would take her 
child in the crib and go to the field and work 
there all day and half of the night. They 
have met many obstacles, but by industry and 
economy have accumulated a nice little for- 
tune. Their farm, consisting of 300 acres, is 
located two miles west and one north of Alma 
Centre. Mr. Sichler makes a specialty of 
raising stock. The family are members of the 
Catholic Church. 



IHARLES G. POPPE, of section 2, 
Withee Township, was born near Frank- 
fort on the Oder, Prussia, October 17, 
1857, the son of John G. Poppe, of this 
town. The latter brought his family to 
Perth County, Canada, in August, 1861, 
then to Huron County, same country, in 
1869, and next to this county, in the fall of 
1877. Charles G., our subject, came to Clark 
County, in December, 1876, where he worked 
for Joe Gibson in the pineries the first and 
second winter and for Mead and Prentice 
during the summers. He has worked in the 
woods every winter except the last two, since 
he came to this county, and previous to 1890 
he worked for himself. He then rented a 
farm of B. J. Brown one year, and in June, 
1885, settled on his present place of eighty 
acres, ten of which is cleared. Mr. Poppe 



has been Assessor for the past two years, and 
also held the same office several years ago. 

He was married December 11, 1880, to 
Cynthia C. Carpenter, born in Chemung 
Township, McHenry County, Illinois, Decem- 
ber 31, 1856, the daughter of David Carpen- 
ter, deceased. She came with her parents to 
Black River Falls when an infant, where she 
was reared and educated. She then came 
with her parents to this county, in 1872, 
where she began teaching school at the age 
se^'enteen years. She taught the first school 
in the district south of their residence, now 
District No. 2, this township, having followed 
this occupation fourteen terms. Mr. and Mrs. 
Poppe have two children: Elsie May, born 
December 20, 1881, and Violet Ernstine, 
April 11, 1889. 

''♦■" ^ • ? " S « •>'■■-■ - 



fOHN G. KLOPF, wholesale liquor 
dealer, Neillsville, Wisconsin, was born 
in Germany, September 22, 1830. He 
came to America with his parents in 1846. 
His father had some means and settled in 
Brooklyn, New York, his family consistino- 
of two sons and one daughter. Ho was a 
stone-cutter in the old country and his trade 
was adopted by his two sons. 

In 1855 John came to Wisconsin and 
located in Sheboygan County, becoming one 
of the early pioneers of that place. At first he 
purchased forty acres of land, which he cleared 
and to which he 8ul)sequently added forty 
acres more. This he developed into a good 
farm and remained on it until 1871. In 
1874 he removed to Clark County and en- 
gaged in his present business. By tair dealing 
he has gained an extensive acquaintance 
tiiroughout the county and has a libera! pat- 
ronage. 

Mr. Klopf has beeti twice married. His 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUJSriES. 



211 



lii-st wife, a native of New York, lie wedded 
in 1858. By her he had eight cliildren, four 
of whom are livintr, all having received good 
educational advantajres. The maiden name 
of his present wife was Nancy Argrave. One 
of his sons, John A., is engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits, owns a good farm and has 
a family of six children. Politically Mr. 
Klopf athliates with the Democratic party. 
The family are members of the Lutheran 
C!h\irch. 



■" ' * a ' « S * ■ '■" 



^ENRY J. FESSENDEN, the book- 
keeper and chief clerk in the store of 
the Sterling LumberCompany, Sterling, 
Wisconsin, was born in Boston, Massachu- 
setts, April G, 1822, the son of Timothy (de- 
ceased) and Angeline (Robley) Fessenden, 
the former a native of Ilaverliill, Massachu- 
setts, and the latter a resident of Montpelier, 
Vermont. The father was a blacksmith and 
machinist by trade, and worked many years 
in Boston; the mother was a daughter of 
Richard Robley, a Revolutionary soldier, who 
was first in the British army, but afterward 
deserted and joined the American side. The 
parents had nine children, seven of whom 
still survive, namely: Louise, Angeline, Lucy, 
IJenry, Sarah, Nancy and Francis. One 
son, George, died after reaching maturity, 
leaving a family. 

The subject of this sketch was reared and 
educated in Boston, wherc^ he first learned 
the blacksmith's trade, but was forced to 
abandon it on account of ill health. He 
next learned the carriage and wagon -maker's 
trade, at which he worked six years, and then 
taught vocal and instrumental music several 
years in Hancock County, Illinois, making 
his home in Carthage, lie went to tiie lat- 
ter State in 1838, settling first in (Treene 



County; thence to Griggsville, Pike County, 
in 1839; in 1845 to Columbus, Adams Coun- 
ty; in October, 1850, to Hancock Count) ; in 
185-1, to Carthage, same county. lie was a 
soldier in the late war, in Company D, Six- 
teenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served 
from May 24, 18G1, until May 8, 18G2, when 
he was discharged by special field order, 
having been detailed leader of the Sixteenth 
Illinois Regimental Band. ' He re-enlisted 
August 15, 1862, and served until August 3, 
1863, when he was discharged for disability. 
He participated in the battles of Port Gib- 
son, Champion Hill, Black River Bridge and 
Vicksburg. After the war Mr. Fessenden 
returned to Carthage, and in Octt)ber. 1863, 
came to La Crosse County, Wisconsin, set- 
tling in West Salem, where he clerked in a 
store and also worked at the carriage-maker's 
trade until 1871. He next removed to Birm- 
ingham, Marshall County, Kentucky, in 1874 
to this county, in February, 1875, to Union 
City, Tennessee, next to Osborne County, 
Kansas, and in 1881 to Clark County, where 
he has since lived on the old Ean Claire 
Lumber Company's farm until in April, 1883. 
In that year he came to Sterling and took 
charge of the store and books of the Eau 
Claire Lumber Company, and was retained by 
the Sterling Lumber Company when they 
took charge of the business in March. 1888. 
Mr. Fessenden was married in Columbus, 
Adams County, Illinois, November 17, 1846, 
to Minerva Ann Nance, who was boi-n near 
New Albany, Indiana, the daughter of Will- 
iam Nance, deceased. They have had seven 
children, four now living, — Emma, the wife 
of II. O. Pi.xley, of Covert, Kansas; Ella A., 
wife of Joe Sterling, a member of the firm 
of the Sterling Lumber Company; Eva G., 
now Mrs. J. B. Swift, of Chicago; and 
George E., of Thorp, this county, who mar- 
ried Amanda E. Shoup, of Loyal, this county. 



213 



BIOGRAPHICAL niSTORT OF 



Socially Mr. Fessenden is a meinber of the 
I. O. O. F and G. A. R. fraternities, politi- 
cally a Eepublican and religiously Mrs. Fess- 
enden is a member of the Christian Church. 



' ■g - 3 .' r - > 




i^ATT KAPELLEJSI, a boot and shoe 
St) 

merchant of Neillsville, was born in 

Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, Octo- 
ber 27, 1857. His parents, Anton and Ag- 
nes Kapellen, natives of Germany, located in 
Sheboygan County, in 1857. The father 
purchased a tract of wild land, which, by the 
expenditure of much time and hard labor, he 
developed into a fine farm. His lack of 
money was overbalanced liy his German thrift, 
and prosperity attended his efforts. He and 
bis wife reared a family of six children. His 
son, the subject of this sketch, was educated 
in Sheboygan County, and at the age of four- 
teen years began to provide for himself. 
Some twelve years ago he was married in his 
native county, to Caroline Millenger, by 
whom he has two children. Her father was 
a native of Tennessee. Mr. Kapellen came 
to Clark County nine years ago and engaged 
in the boot and shoe business. He has estab- 
lished a lucrative trade here, and is ranked 
among the prominent business men of Neills- 
ville. 



SREDERICK J. SHELDON, of section 
27, township 28, range 2 west, Hixton 
Township, Clark County, was born in 
Onondaga County, New York, October 16, 
1839, the son of Frederick Sheldon (deceased) 
a native of Connecticut. The father, a cooper 
and farmer by occupation, emigrated to Dear- 
born Township, Wayne County, Michigan, 
settling fourteen miles west of Detroit, 



where Frederick lived until alter the war. 
He served in that struggle, in Company B, 
Second Michigan Volunteer Infantry, three 
years, and was in all the battles from First 
Uull Run to that of the Wilderness and 
North Anna, including Spottsylvania Court 
House, second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, 
Manassas Junction, Vicksburg, Jackson, 
Knoxville and others. His regiment made a 
charire on a redout at Knoxville, and lost 
ninety-six men in fifteen minutes! They 
participated in twenty-five battles and many 
skirmishes, Mr. Sheldon having served in all 
but one. He was wounded in the face at 
Knoxville. 

After the war, in July, 1865, he entered the 
United States employ as carpenter, and worked 
at Nashville, Tennessee, eleven months, or 
until June, 1865, when he returned to Michi- 
gan. He lived in Dearborn until July, 1867, 
when he went to Fulton, Illinois, and De- 
cember 10 of the same year to Big Falls on 
Popple River, this county, settling one and 
one-half miles southwest of Longwood, where 
has since resided. The first winter he was 
engaged in the pineries, and in July, 1868, 
he brought his family to this county, taking 
a homestead on the southeast quarter of the 
southwest quarter of section 27, Eaton Town- 
ship, now Hixton. He still owns 160 acres 
of this tract, fifty of which is cleared. 

Mr. Sheldon was married at Sagiuaw, 
Michigan, November 18, 1864, to Ellen E., 
Clark, daughter of Brenton Clark, of Wheat- 
land, Michigan. They had six children, 
four of whom survive: Willie A., Alhertis, 
Frank L. and Nancy M. The eldest son is 
married and lives in White Sulphur Springs, 
Montana. The. mother died September 22, 
1888; she was a faithful Christian woman, an 
affectionate wife and tender mother. Mr. 
Sheldon has held the oflice of Justice of the 
Peace three years. School Clerk many years. 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



213 



and Town Treasurer six years. lie is a 
member of the G. A. \\. and I. (). (). F. fra- 
ternities. 



fAMES RICHMOND, M. 1)., lias been 
engaged in the practice of his profes- 
sion in Black River Falls ever since Oc- 
tober, 1887. He was born in St. Lawrence 
County, New York, January 15, 1858, and 
is a son of John Richinond, a native of 
Leeds, England; the father einip^rated to tiiis 
country when he was twenty-two years of 
age, and settled near Canton, New York. 
There he married Margaret Hoy, a native of 
Dublin, Ireland; he was a farmer by occu- 
pation, and continued to live in St. Lawrence 
County until his death, which occurred in 
September, 1866; his widow still survives, 
and resides in Isabella County, Michigan, with 
her son. Dr. P. E. Richinond. 

James is the youngest of eleven children, 
ten of whom are sons; at the age of fifteen 
years he went West with his brother. Dr. P. 
E. Richmond, who is a graduate of the Mc- 
Gill Medical College, Montreal; he remained 
with his brother in the State of Michigan nn- 
til the fall of 1875; he had been attending 
school, and in the spring of 1875 was en- 
gaged in teaching; he then went to Trem- 
pealeau County, Wisconsin, and entered the 
high school at Galesville, of which his 
brother, Stephen Richmond, was then i)rinci- 
pal; he was graduated from this school in 
1877, and the following year betook a course 
of study at the University of Galesville. For 
several years he was engaged in the profes- 
sion of teaching, but all this time he was con- 
templating the study of medicine, and finally 
abandoned the school-i-oom and turned his 
attention exclusively to the pursuit of this 
science. In the year 1885 he entered the 




College of Physiciatis and Surgeons in Chi- 
cago; he was graduated from this institution 
in 1887, and located immediately afterward at 
Black River Falls; he has always been an in- 
dustrit)us student, and although he has been 
a resident of Black liiver Falls a compara- 
tively brief period, he has acquired the repu- 
tation of a careful and skillful physician. 

Dr. Richmond was united in marriage, in 
Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, to Miss 
Maggie Carpenter, a daughtei- of Henry 
Carpenter, an early settler in the town of 
Preston; one child has been born of this 
union: Lorana. 

■.-^|. ; .. ; .g. . 



EORGE C. ANDREWS, a blacksn.ith 
of Greenwood, was bom near Smith's 
'^ Falls, Ontario, December 3, 1830, the 
son of Elkana (deceased) and Elizabeth (Hut- 
ton) Andrews, the father a native of Now 
York, and of English ancestry, and the mother 
was of Scotch parentage. George C. was 
reared to farm life and educated in the com- 
mon schools, and also learned the trade of 
blacksmith when a boy, which he followed 
twenty-four years in his native country. In 
1871 he came to Wisconsin, settlimr in 
Greenwood, where he has since been eno-ao-ed 
at his trade. Previous to this, however he 
spent the winter of 1858-'59 in this State 
just across the river from where Greenwood 
now stands, the present town site beino- then 
covered with a heavy growth of sugar trees. 
During the spring of 1859 he was engaged 
in making sugar near the main street, and also 
drove logs from Poplar River to La Crosse, 
after which he returned to Ontario. Dur- 
ing the winter of 1871-'72 he worked many 
nights until after midnight, and has shod as 
high as fifty yoke of oxen in one year. He 



2U 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF 



owns 160 acres of land, besides his large shop 
and residence in Greenwood. 

Mr. Andrews was married about thirty live 
years ago, to Lorinda Chanil)erlin, and tliey 
Lave had nine children, seven now liv- 
ing: Elizabeth, Gelia, Flora, J. Sheldon, 
George B., Effie P>. and Lillie. Elizabeth 
married Erastus Bowen, of Columbus, Wis- 
consin, and has two children: Rose and Grace. 
Gelia married Dr. Thomas, of Greenwood; 
Flora married Ralph Hall, the photographer 
and painter at Greenwood, and has one child, 
George. Mr. Andrews is a local minister in 
tiie Methodist Episcopal Church; socially, he 
is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge, and 
politically a Prohibitionist, but votes for 
principles and men. 



jBNER D. PULLEYS, a prominent citi- 
zen of Jackson County, was born in 
in Washington County, Maine, May 3, 
1850, the son of William H. Polleys, who 
was born near Halifax, Colchester County, 
Novia Scotia, May 18, 1824. In 1841 he 
came to Washington County, Maine, and in 
1856 to Jackson County, Wisconsin. At one 
time he owned about 1,200 acres of land in 
this county, but has since sold a considerable 
portion, and invested the money in lands in 
different parts of the country. He owns 
property in Florida, Georgia and also in La 
Crosse. His residence is one of the finest 
and best improved places m Melrose. He 
is also interested in a mill at La Crosse. 
Politically he is a Democrat. His father, 
AbnerPolleys, was born at Bridge Hill, Massa- 
chusetts, in the year 1786, and subseciuently 
came to Dodge County, where lie died at the 
age of sixty-six years. He was a farmer by 
occupation, and a very prominent man in his 
lifetime. Our subject's mother, nee Doro- 



thy A. Woodcock, was born in Washington 
County, Maine, in 1829, and died in Jackson 
County, Wisconsin, at the age of fifty-eight 
years. She was a daughter of Dexter and 
Jane (Hovey) Woodcock, both natives of 
Maine. The father was a prominent manu- 
facturer and dealer in boots and siioes. Mr. 
and Mrs. Polleys had four children, namely: 
William E., Edgar H., Abner D. and Frank 
O., all of whom are still living. 

Abner D., their third child, was reared in 
Melrose, Jackson County, and completed his 
education in the high scliool at Black River 
Falls. In 1876 he went to La Crosse, where 
he was employed as book-keeper in his father's 
mill until 1880. In that year he returned to 
Jackson County, and engaged in fanning un- 
til 1887, when he was elected Town Clerk of 
Melrose, which position ho now holds, hav- 
ing been elected by a unanimous vote. He 
is now giving considerable attention to the 
raising of fine-breed cattle, horses, pigs and 
sheep. He averages about twenty five head 
of cattle, twenty horses, 150 sheep and twenty- 
five hogs. Politically he is a Prohibitionist, 
and socially a member of the 1. O. O. F. fra- 
ternity. No. 300, Melrose, and is also a mem- 
ber of the Good Templars lodge, No. 220. 



RNST R. POPPE, of section 20, Hixton 
Township, Clark County, was born in 
Hohengrab, Kreis Soldin, Reg. Bezirk, 
Frankfort-on-tiie-Oder, Prussia, April 25, 
1828, the son of John G. Poppe, who died 
when Ernst was but two years old. The 
latter learned the cabinet-maker's trade in the 
old country, at which he worked for twenty 
years, and then served four years in the 
German army during the Polish rebellion of 
1848. He removed to County Perth, Upper 
Caiiada, in 1857, where he worked at the 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



2:5 



carpeiiter'.s trade in the suiniiiers aiuJ thecal>- 
inet-inaker's trade in winters until 1874. In 
that year he came to Wisconsin, spent tliree 
months in Shel)oygan County, and in Au- 
gust of tlie same year came to this county, 
settling in Greenwood. In October lie came 
to liis present farm of 320 acres, over si.xty 
of wiiich he has since cleared. His nearest 
neighbor at that time was Joe Gibson, three 
miles distant. Besides his general farmino-, 
he has also worked at the carpenter's trade, 
and has l)uilt most of the barns and fiame 
houses in his neiLrhborhood. 

Mr. Poppo was married in Kollin, Province 
of Jirandenburg, November 23, 1854, to 
Louise Lau, a daiighter of Frederick Lau, a 
narive of Canada. They had five children: 
Gnstav B., Frederick, Elizabeth and Augusta 
(twins) and Ernst G. The motlier died in the 
spring of 1866, and Mr. Poppe was again mar- 
ried, October 8, 1860, to Barbara Elizabeth 
Hassenpflug, a daughter of Johan Hassen- 
ptiug, deceased. They had nine children, six 
of whom are now living, viz.: William, Wil- 
helminie, Albert, Charles, Henry and Matilda. 
Mr. Poppe was a meml)er of the Town Board 
four years, has been a member of the School 
Board several years, and is now servincr as 
School Treasurer. lie is a member of the 
Lutheran Church. 



,/il^EOKGE MEEK, mail contractor and 
stageman from Witliee to Greenwood, 
was born in Macomb County, Michi- 
igan, April 3, 1830, the son of Andrew and 
Margaret Meek, the former a native of Penn- 
sylvania, and the latter of Ohio. They had 
seven children, five now living: George, John, 
Kate, Alexander and J. Thomas. George 
came with his parents to Itock County, Wis- 
consin, in IS37, where they settled on afarm. 



an<l remained until 184G. They then re- 
moved to Green County, same State, thence 
to Jackson County, in 1851, where they soon 
afterward settled, in Trempealeau Valley. The 
father died at the latter place in April, 1871, 
and the mother at Black Itivor Falls in Au- 
gust, 1881. Mr. Meek, our sul)ject, served in 
the late war, in Company I, Fourteenth Wis- 
consin Volunteer Infantry, remaining tliree 
years, and was in the battle of Shiloh. On ac- 
count of disability he was on detached duty 
mostly as cook in a hospital. He now draws 
a pension of $10 a month. He came to this 
county in August, 1887, locating in Green- 
wood, where he has since lived. 

Mr. Meek was married September 30, 1866, 
to Sarah J. Harmer, a daughter of Charles 
Harmer, of Albion, Jackson County, Wis- 
consin. They have had six children, four of 
whom survive: Charles II., Ilattie A., Ilngh 
and Ralph, all at home. Socially Mr. Meek 
is a member of the G. A. li. post, and polit- 
ically a Republican. 

-^' t ' l o l .^.^ 



IfS E. TAYLOR, jeweler, Neillsville, Wis- 
consin, took up his abode in Clark 
" County in 1808. He established his 
business here at that time, has since been 
identified with the best interests of Neills- 
ville and is to-day one of its prominent citi- 
zens. 

Mr. Taylor was born in Tioga County, 
New York, and is the seventh of eight chil- 
dren born to I'erkin Taylor. He received his 
education in his native county, and- remained 
with his pai-ents till he was twenty-one years 
old. He learned the carpenter's trade there 
atul was working at it when the war broke 
out. He at once joined the ranks of the 
Union Army, enlisting in 1801, in (Jomj.any 
H, Si.xty-fonrth New York Regiment, Cap- 



216 



BIOORAPHIGAL BISTORT OF 



tain Barstow, and sis a musician, was in active 
service with tlie Army of the Potomac for 
six months. In 1862, on account of disabil- 
ity, he was discharged, after whicli lie returned 
to New York and was an invalid for a long 
time. He learned the jeweler's trade in 
Minnesota, to which place he emigrated in 
1865, and followed the business there for two 
years. From that place he came to Neills- 
ville in 1868 and has since made his home 
here. Politically he is a Kepublicau. He is 
known as one of the best rifle shots in the 
conntry, and is a total abstainer from gam- 
bling and the use of whisky, beer, tobacco, 
and even tea and coffee. 

September 3, 1872, Mr. Taylor married 
Nellie Chase, a native of Franklin County, 
Vermont. She was educated at Friendship 
Academy and Alfred University, in Alle- 
gany County, New York, was engaged in 
teaching in the public schools of New York 
nine years and in Wisconsin two terms. Her 
father died in Franklin County, Vermont, in 
1855. 



,RCniE L. GOODVIN, the noted 
hunter of Clark County, residing on 
section 32, Hixton Township, was born 
near Dulnique, Iowa, February 27, 1859, the 
son of David R. Goodvin, a native of Illinois. 
The latter, now of Washburn County, Wis- 
consin, was a pioneer of Iowa and also of 
Wisconsin, having removed to the latter 
State in 1858, settling in Sauk County, where 
he lived until 1868. He then went to Jack- 
son County, and remained until the fall of 
1870, when he came to this county and set- 
tled two miles east of Thorp, Withee Town- 
ship, then Hixton, but removed to Washburn 
County in 1887. 

The subject of this sketch settled on hi.-< 



present farm of eighty acres in ()ctoi)er, 
1878, and has since cleared thirty acres of 
this tract. He is engaged in hunting every 
fall, and works in the woods in the winters. 
He has killed not less than twenty deer each 
fall for the past twelve years, and in one tall 
killed forty-nine, and has also killed about 
fifty or more bear since he settled on his 
present place. Mr. Goodvin was married 
May 17, 1875, to Clara Clark, a daughter of 
Israel Clark, deceased. Of their eight chil- 
dren, six are now living: Eva, Ida, William, 
Maud, P>aiik and George. 



I^.ENRY C. PETERS, photographer and 
artist, has been identified with the in- 
terests of Neillsville since 1888, at 
which time he succeeded W. H. Drake in his 
profession. This line of work is also ably 
represented by Miss Mattie Schuster, who has 
been located in Neillsville for a number of 
years. She is a competent photographer, 
and furnishes another example of what 
woman's wit may accomplish when she turns 
her attention to any special branch. 

Mr. Peters was born at West Rend, Wash- 
ington County, Wisconsin, in 1867, and is a 
son of Henry Peters, deceased, who was a 
pioneer of the county, having settled there 
in 1818; the mother is still living; there were 
four children born to Henry Peters and wife, 
two sons and two daughters; the eldest son, 
William Peters, is a merchant of West Bend; 
Sophia is the wife of A. Harms, a merchant 
at Wentworth, South Dakota; the younger 
daughter, Minnie, is still at home. 

Henry C. was reared amid the scenes of 
his birth, and began the study of the art 
which he has since pursued, at the age of 
nineteen years; two years previous to his 
coming to Neillsville he was employed in one 



CLAUK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



217 



of tl)e ]oM<lii)g plioto^^nipli j^alleries of Mil- 
waukee, Wisconsin, where he attained un- 
usual skill as an operator. He is a genuine 
student in his art, executes crayon work of a 
very fine quality, and gives promise of rising 
to the top in art circles. Ilis studio is neatly 
and tastefully an-angod, and contains ninny 
specimens of his ability. 

A large and varied assortment of picture- 
frames can always be found at Mr. Peters' 
gallery, as he makes a specialty of this branch 
of the business. 



[EORUE F. SMITH, superintendent of 
the D. J. Spaulding farm, and also 
foreman in one of his camps near 
Withee, was born in Milwaukee County, 
Wisconsin, August 19, 1857, the son of 
Michael Sujith, deceased, a native of Dublin, 
Ireland. The latter catne to the United States 
when a young man, and settled in Utica, New 
York, where he remained five years. He then 
lived six years in Chicago, where he was en- 
gaged in grading streets. He next went to 
Milwaukee, where he at one time owned 260 
acres of land, and where he died May 12, 
1886, at the age of eighty-four years, after a 
sickness of but a few days. Our subject's 
mother, nee Catharine Kyan, was born in 
Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of John 
Kyan, deceased, a native of County Mayo, 
Ireland. The parents had six children, two 
of whom still survive: George F. and Michael 
J. The latter now lives on the old home- 
stead near Milwaukee. 

George F., our subject, was reared to farm i 
life, and educated in the common schools. In 
tall of 1877 he commenced work in the 
[lineries near Ludington, on the Pere Mar- 
(juette River, Michigan, where he remained 
.six years, and during that time was cuio-atred 



in driving logs in the summers. In 1883 he 
came to this county and lived at Neillsville 
two years, spending the winters in the camps, 
and farming in the summers. October 19, 
1888, he took charge of the Spaulding farm, 
having charge of several thousand acres, and 
also estimates and looks after all the pine 
lands. Besides this he also owns a one-half 
interest in the homestead near Milwaukee. 
Mr. Smith was married January 14, 1875 
to Emma J., a daughter of Timothy Carlton^ 
deceased. They ha\e two children: Francis 
M., born October 27, 1890, and Edward T., 
March 30, 1890. Religiously he is a mem- 
ber of the Catholic Church. 



^OELS. MILLER, of Melrose, was born 
in Cortland County, New Vork, Sep 
tember 29, 1837, the son of William 
Miller, also a native of that county, born 
February 11, 1811. In 1853 he went to 
McIIenry County, Illinois, remaining until 
1864, when he came to Jackson County, lo- 
cating in Alma Center. In 1868 he ope'ned 
a hotel, which he sold in 1883, and in- 
vested the money in town property. He died 
June 28, 1889; politically ho was a Republi- 
can, and held several public offices. Our 
subject's mother, Rachel Heath, was born in 
Cortland County, New York, and is now 
living in Alma Center, Wisconsin. She is the 
daughterof Joel Heath, a nativeof New York, 
who came to McIIenry County, Illinois, in' 
an early day. In 1854 he went to La Crosse 
County, where he died, at an advanced age. 
He was a farmer by occupation; and politi- 
cally was a Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Miller 
had ten children, namely: Joel S., Rachel A.. 
AmyM., Helen A., Jerome B., Albert, Myrun 
A., atid one who died in infancy. 

The subject of this sketch, Juel S., was 



218 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF 



reared and educated on a farm in Chautauqua 
County, New York. In 1853 lie went to 
McIIenry County, and commenced work 
on the Illinois Central Railroad, where he 
continued until February, 1864. lu that 
year he went to Venango County, Pennsyl- 
vania, remaining until 1888, when he came 
to Jackson County. In May, 1889, he came 
to Meh-ose and engaged in the hardware 
business, and now carries a stock of $2,500. 
Politically he is a Republican. 

Mr. Miller was married October 26, 1873, 
to Mary E. Preetnan, who was born in West 
Canada, July 18, 1852, the daughter of Sam- 
uel and Ann (English) Freeman, both natives 
of England, who came to this country in an 
early day. In 1856 they came to Jackson 
County, Wisconsin, and now reside in Black 
River Falls. The father has been in the hotel 
business nearly all his life. In his younger 
days he was a Republican, but now votes the 
Democrat ticket. 

lEORGE BEACH WOOD, of section 36, 
Thorp Township, Clark County, was 
born in Niagara County, New York, 
July 22, 1852, the son of Gottfried Beach- 
wood, deceased, a native of Prussia. The 
latter came to the United States in 1840, 
settling in Niagara County, New York, 
where he bought a portion of Grand Island, 
but, the title not proving good, he lost it. 
In 1850 he came to Sheboygan County, Wis- 
consin, where he made a settlement, but re- 
turned to New York the next year. In 1857 
he brought his family to this State, and set- 
tled on a farm in the thick woods. 

George, our subject, left home when six- 
teen years of age, and traveled through Illi- 
nois, Missouri, Kansas and Texas, making 
his own way. lie worked on a raft boat ou 



the Mississippi River for some time, and at 
various otlier occupations. In the summer 
of 1871 he landed in the central part of Illi- 
nois, where he worked in the harvest fields, 
and from that State all the way into Minne- 
sota. In March, 1864, he came to this 
county, and in June, 1881, entered a home- 
stead at Government prices. He now owns 
120 acres, thirty-four of which is cleared. 
When he came to this county there were no 
roads except Indian trails and tote roads. 
For several falls the Indians camped near 
him, but were peaceable and friendly. Mr. 
Beachwood has worked in the woods nearly 
every winter for others, except for the past 
few years, when he has been engaged on his 
own account. 

He was married October 21, 1880, to 
Marietta Boardman, who was born in Olm- 
sted County, Minnesota, June 22, 1857, the 
daughter of Benoni Boardman, deceased. 
They have three children: William E., born 
July 28, 1881; Thomas, August 14, 1884; 
and Franklin, November 16, 1889. 



I^^ICHAEL BAKER, a self-made man 
and a prosperous farmer residing in 
■^^^ Garden Valley Township, Jackson 
County, is a native of Germany. He was 
born January 17, 1820, anil came to America 
in 1851, landing in New York, June 9. 
After remaining in Pennsylvania a little 
over four years, he came West and located in 
Waukesha County, Wisconsin. There he 
bought a small farm, which lie improved, 
and which ho sold in 1879. In that year he 
came to Jackson County, bought a farm con- 
sisting of 120 acres, located two miles from 
Alma Centre, and on it he still resides. Mr. 
Baker, like many of his countrymen, came 
here without means, and by industry and 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



319 



economy has worked liis way up to a position 
of comfort and independence. When he 
landed in tliis country lie liad i)ut $20, and 
8o anxious was he to get a start that lie 
worked for six sliillings per day and boarded 
iiiniself in Pennsylvania. He worked in a 
lumber yard in the day time, and then when 
he had ati opportunity he would work help- 
ing to unload coal boats during the nights, 
to put in extra time. Mr. IJaker was ac- 
companied to this country by his wafe and 
babe, and after their arrival here other chil- 
dren were born to them. Two children are 
deceased. The others have received the 
benefit of a good education. Mr. Baker iiad 
a brother in Pennsylvania who had jireceded 
them to the United States, and it was with 
no little difficulty that they succeeded in 
finding him. He offered them a homo with 
him for awhile, but rendered Mr. Baker no 
assistance in finding employment; so then it 
was they concluded to come West. The sub- 
ject of our sketch is regarded as one of the 
substantial citizens of the community in 
which he resides, and is held in higli esteem 
by all who know him. Ho is now serving 
as Roadmastor. The family are nienil)ers of 
tlie Catholic Church. 



JEUNARD F. RUSCH, proprietor of a 
M^ saloon in Thorp, was born in Pomerania, 
Prussia, October 18, 1855, the son of 
Charles Rusch, who died when Bernard was 
but a siTiall boy. The latter emigrated to 
Huron County, Ontario, in 1807, with the 
remainder of the family, his mother havino- 
previously married William Tabbert. lu 
1870 he came to this county, stopping first 
at Greenwood, where he worked in the 
woods the first winter, and the next two 
years was employed as clerk in a store at 



Longwood, and also four mcuiths in Green- 
wood. He next was engaged in lumbering 
and farming until in May, 188U, when he 
came to Thorp, and has lived in this vicinity 
ever since. He worked on the Wisconsin 
Central Railroad when it was being built to 
this place. He began his present business 
in 1882, and in addition to this owns two 
farms, one of eighty acres on section 30, 
township 29, range 4 west. Thorp Township, 
and the other on section 9, township 28, 
range 3 west, Withee Township, consisting 
of forty acres. 

Mr. Rusch was nuirried October 31, 1883, 
to Viola Steele, a daughter of Thomas Steele, 
of this city. They have two children: Ber- 
nard, born August 3, 1884; and Ruth, No- 
vember 5, 1886. Mr. Rusch has held the 
office of Town Treasurer two years, and re- 
ligiously was brought up a Lutheran. 

RUPERT SICHLER resides on a farm 
in section 20, town 23, ranjre 5, in the 
town of Garden Valley, Jackson Coun- 
ty. He was born in the city of Rottweil a 
Necar, kingdom of VViirtemberg, Germany, 
March 9, 1834, and came to America when 
he was eighteen years old, arriving in the 
United States with but little money. He 
spent one year and four months in New 
Jersey, seven miles from Philadelphia, on a 
large truck farm on the Delawai'e Rivei-, 
working for $10 per month through the 
summer, and $0 per month in the winter 
months. He tlien went to southern Illinois, 
— Madison, Macoupin and Montgomery conn 
ties, — about fifty miles from St. Louis, and 
remained about one year, working on several 
farms, and about a month on the railroad to 
Terre Haute. From there lie went to south- 
ern Iowa, Fort Madison, and from there to 



220 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORT OP 



Iowa City, remaining about thirteen months 
in Iowa, and then came to Jackson County, 
Wisconsin, in October, 1855. Here he worked 
for $26 per month in the woods, and saved 
some money with which he and his brother 
bought one yoke of oxen and wagon and 
eiglity acres of raw land, on wliicli he now 
lives. This was wild land at the time of 
purchase, and much hard labor was required 
to clear it. Their necessaries of life had to 
he hauled from Black River Falls; their first 
breaking-plow had to be hauled from La 
Crosse, a little village at the time he landed 
there; and many were the hardships they 
endured in those pioneer days. 

Mr. Sichler was married November 10, 
1861, at Black River Falls, to Maggie Wolf, 
who was born not far from Cologne, Empire 
of Germany, June 18, 1845, and came to 
America with her parents when she was fif- 
teen months old. They settled in Washing- 
ton County, nine miles from West Bend, on 
a piece of heavy-timbered land, forty miles 
from Milwaukee, where Just a few houses 
stood. Where now Milwaukee is, land was 
offered to her father very cheap. Their union 
has been blessed with ten children, seven 
now living. Mr. Sichler is a Democrat, and 
the family are members of the Catholic 
Church. 






lEORGE A. LUDINGTON, harness- 
maker, Neillsville, Wisconsin, was born 
in Circleville, Ohio, October 3, 1842, 
and is the youngest child of Nathaniel and 
Laura Ludiugton. He received his early 
education in his native town, and when a 
mere boy, fourteen years old, was apprenticed 
to a strict Presbyterian, and was to remain 
with him until he reached his majority. The 
young lad, however, would not submit to 



what he called rough and cruel treatment, so 
he suddenly took his departure, coming West 
as far as Warsaw, Illinois. He learned the 
harness-maker's trade in that place, thus dis- 
playing an industrious nature as well as a 
spirit of independence. 

In 1861 Mr. Ludington entered the 
service of his country, enlisting as a private 
in Company H, Thirtieth Ohio Infantry, 
Captain Taylor. His regiment was in active 
operation jlirst in West Virginia, their first 
principal engagement being in the second 
battle of Bull Run. He was in the skirmish 
at Fredericktown, battle of South Mountain 
and at Antietam. Wliile in the line of duty 
he received a severe injury, from the effects 
of which he has never recovered, and for 
which he receives a moderate pension. Was 
in the hospital some time on account of said 
injury, and after he was able to travel he re- 
ceived a furlough. He subsequently rejoined 
the army and was placed in hospital at St. 
Louis, where he was appointed ward-master. 
In that position he rendered efficient services 
to those placed under his charge. Some 
months later he again joined the regiment. 
This was in 1863. He was with General 
Sherman up to the capture of Atlanta, 
Georgia. January 3, 1864, he enlisted as a 
veteran, and was detailed on special duty. 
He received his discharge at Little Rock, 
Arkansas, August 13, 1865. 

The war over, Mr. Ludington went to 
Cambridge City, Indiana, where he attended 
school for a time, after which he moved to 
Keokuk, Iowa. From there he came to 
Black River Falls, Wisconsin, and worked in 
the woods on the river up to the time of his 
marriage, October 13, 1869. His wife was 
born in New York, and was educated in the 
Galesville University. They have had four 
children: Albert, Carrie, Mary T., and a 
daughter who died at sixteen years of age. 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



221 



Albert graduated in tlie Neillsville liigli 
school l)efore lie was seventeen years old. 
All have had the beiietit of a good education. 
Mr. Ludington is a member of the I. O. 
O. F., Royal Arcanum, and the G A. K., 
Post No. 48. He has been Alderman of the 
Second Ward, Neillsville, being elected in 
1884. Was twiee elected City Treasurer of 
Neillsville. He is a stanch Republican, and 
is regarded as one of the representative citi- 
zens of Neillsville. 



iffl/HOMAS H. NICHOLS was born in 
[[jij: Surry County Court-House, Virginia, 
August 5, 1849, of quadroon parent- 
age. When he was a mere lad his parents 
removed to Prince George County, and thence 
to Petersburg, Dinwiddie County. He was 
a resident of that city and vicinity diying 
the siege by the Union army under General 
Grant. At the close of the war of the Re- 
bellion in 1865, he came North with Captain 
G. A. Fisk, of Company C, Thirty-sixth 
Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He lived 
with Captain Fisk at his home in Sparta, 
Wisconsin, and in Cataract, Wisconsin, until 
the spring of 1866, obtaining a few months' 
schooling in the latter place. He then de- 
termined to take up the responsibilities of 
life for himself, and found iiis way to Hhick 
River Falls, where he worked at whatever 
presented itself. In the autumn of the same 
year he returned to Sparta, and continued his 
studies the following winter. At the end of 
the school year he went back to Black River 
Falls, and learned the barber's trade; but 
realizing full well the advantages of a good 
education, and having a natural aptitude for 
ail literary studies, he persevered in the pur- 
suits of learning. He paid his own way at 
school in Sparta for two years after lie liad 



learned his trade, and then went to Neills- 
ville, where he established himself in busi- 
ness. At the end of four years he removed 
to Winona, Minnesota, but after a short stay 
there he returned to Black River Falls, where 
he owns property and is located permanently, 
lie is entitled to much credit for the per- 
sistency he has shown in acquiring his edu- 
cation. When he came North, at the aee of 
fifteen years, he was unable to read; but 
being possessed of much natural intelligence, 
he ovei'came many difficulties that would 
have discouraged one of smaller ambitions. 
He now owns a fine library of well-selected 
books, embracing a variety of subjects. 

Politically he affiliates with the Prohibi- 
tion party, Iteing a strong opponent of the 
use and sale of all intoxicating drinks. He 
believes that so-called religion is nothing 
more than superstition with the corners 
knocked off and polished. He is agnostic in 
his belief; is public-spirited, generous, social, 
kind, self-reliant, courteous, and at all times 
and under all circumstances independent in 
the extreme. He is well informed on the 
leading topics of the day, and ranks among 
the leading and intelligent citizens of the 
place. 

"^ "I ' S i' S - ^ """' 

fOHN B. CLARK, of section 9, Thorp 
Township, Clark County, was burn in 
Cornwall, Canada West, March 1, 1852, 
the son of William and Sarah (CJrant) (^lark, 
the former a native of Edinburc Scotland, 
who came to Canada when a young man, and 
the latter born on South P>ranch, Canada 
West; she is now tieceased. The parents had 
three children: Arabella (deceased), John 
B. and William. The latter still resides in 
Cornwall. John W. spent the first seventeen 
yeai's of his life in his native country, where 



232 



BIOORAPHICAL HISTORY OF 



he received a common-scliool education. He 
came to the United States in 1869, and at 
once joined Dan Rice's circus, and remained 
with that company two years, traveling 
through Ohio, Indiana, New York and 
Pennsylvania. He left the show at Girard, 
Pennsylvania, and went to Waterford, same 
State, where he worked on a farm a few 
months for Channcey Moore, who afterward 
employed him in his lumber woods at Bene- 
zett, where he remained until the following 
spring. He next became second cook of the 
camp, and during the early part of 1870 
came to Wisconsin, where he became cook 
for Cornelius Cook, of Stevens' Point, on a 
raft down the Wisconsin and Mississippi 
rivers. During the latter part of the same 
season he worked on the Wisconsin Valley 
Railroad, and also drove a team in the woods 
on South Fork. The next winter Mr. Clark 
went to Eau Claire, and toted up to the 
North Fork of Eau Claire River, for the Eau 
Claire Lumber Company. He has cooked 
several winters in the camps, and on the 
drives during the summers. He settled on 
his present farm of eighty acres in the early 
part of 1878, which was then inhabited by 
Indians and wild animals, but he has since 
succeeded in clearing thirty-eigiit acres. 
During the year 1890 he raised at the rate of 
050 bushels of potatoes to the acre, paying 
$6.25 for the seed, and is now receiving $1 a 
bushel at his home. He raises several kinds 
of mangels, etc., having the largest and best 
varieties of each ; his Empire State potatoes 
weigh seventy pounds to the bushel. Mr. 
Clark is a first-class farmer, and believes in 
having the best of everything. He also 
raises Cotswold and Southdown sheep, crossed 
with Shropshire; graded Holstein and short- 
horn cattle, and his ])oultry are of speckled 
Hamburg, Partridge Cochins and Light 
P)rahnuis. 



Mr. Clark was married in Thorp, March 6, 
1882, to Ada A. Kelley, a daughter of Will- 
iam Kelley, of Chippewa County, Wisconsin. 
They were early pioneers of this city, having 
lived among the bears and Indians, far from 
human habitation, but afterward removed to 
their present home. Mr. and Mrs. Clark 
have four children: Hattie M., AdaG., Mar- 
garet Myrtle and John W. Both he and his 
wife are Christians, Init do not affiliate with 
any church at present. 



ASPER A. KRUPP, superintendent 
and general manager of the mills of 
Nye, Lusk & Hudson, of Eidsvold,and 
a resident of section 28, Thorp Township, 
Clark County, was born in New Plolstein, 
Calumet County, Wisconsin, October 12, 
1858, the son of John and Clara (Filz) 
Krupp, both natives of Prussia. The father 
came to the United States in 1852, settling 
in Wisconsin, where he lived with an uncle 
near Milwaukee. He now resides in Calu- 
met County. The mother had five children 
by a former marriage, only one of whom 
survives — Bernhard Broeder. 

Casper A., our subject, was reared to farm 
life, and was educated in the elementary 
schools and State Normal School of Oshkosh. 
He afterward taught eleven years — six in 
Calumet County, two in Sheboygan County, 
and three in this county. He came to Clark 
County in the fall of 1884, and first lived in 
Thorp until December, 1889, when he re- 
moved to Eidsvold. He was first engaged 
in scaling logs for the company, and April 1 
entered upon the duties of iiis present posi- 
tion. He was married in Thorp, October 11, 
1888, to Johanna L. Tiedemann, a daughter 
of Christian Tiedemann, County Surveyor at 
Thorp. Mr. and Mrs. Krupp have one child, 



CLARK AND JACKSON COirNTIES. 



32K 



Raymond C, born July 2, 1889. Mr. Krnpp 
has served as Justice of tlie Peace several 
years, and is now Town Clerk of Thorp and 
Postmaster of Eidsvold. lie is a member of 
the Modern Woodmen of America, and also 
of the Catholic Church. His wife is a mem- 
ber of the Lutheran Church. 



•-5W5-" 



1^1 RAM GRIFFIN, a successful farmer 
of Jackson County, was born in Erie 
County, New York, June 22, 1823, the 
son of James W. Griffin, who was born in 
Dutchess County, New York, in 1787. In 
1839 he went to Cass County, Michigan, two 
years later to Columbia County, Wisconsin, 
and subsequently moved to Iowa, where he 
died at the age of eighty-six years. He was 
a quiet and promiuent man, and took an 
active part in the Democratic party. He was 
a member of the Masonic order. Our sub- 
ject's mother, Katherine (Abbott) Griffin, was 
born in Dutchess County, New York, the 
daughter of Jonathan Abbott, a native of 
New York, and of Irish extraction. He 
moved to Cass County, Michigan, where he 
afterward died. He was a farmer by occupa- 
tion. Mr. and Mrs. Griffin had six children: 
Rachel, George W., Obadiah, Jonathan A., 
Ira and Hiram, of whom Ira and Hiram are 
now living. 

The subject of this sketch, the sixth child, 
was reared and educated in Cass County, 
Michigan. In 1859 he went to Placerviile, 
which was at that time called Hangtown, 
California, and followed farming at that place 
and also in ditferont parts of the State. In 
1854 he came to Columbia County, Wiscon- 
sin, where he remaineil until 1857, in which 
year he came to Jackson County and located 
at Melrose. He now owns 120 acres in sec- 
tions 9 and 10, bis residence being in tiie 



former. He gives considerable attention to 
the raising of graded stock in addition to 
general farming. Politically he affiliates with 
the Republican party. 

Mr. Griffin was married Deceml»er 27, 
1855, to Clarinda H. Warden, who was born 
in AYyoming County, New York, December 
17, 1833, the daughter of Stephen and Mercy 
(Iliggins) Warden, both natives of New 
York. The mother was of English extrac- 
tion, and the father of Scotch. Mr. and Mrs. 
Griffin have had five children: Ellen, Henry, 
William, Levi and Effie, all of whom are 
still liviner. 



mUDWIG PETERS, a protninent farmer 
H^ of Jackson County, was born in Maken- 
W burg, Germany, February 3, 1816, the 
son of John Peters, who was born in the 
same part of Germany, where he died at the 
age of fifty-seven years. He was a wao-on- 
maker by trade, and was a member of the 
Lutheran Church. Our sui)ject's mother, 
Mary (Tobine) Peters, was also born in Ger- 
many, where she died at the age of fifty-five 
years. She was a member of the Lutheran 
Church. They wore the parents of three 
children: Ludvvig, Caroline and John. The 
latter died at the age of fifteen months. 

Our subject, their eldest child, was encao-ed 
at the wagon-maker's trade in his native coun- 
try until 1851, when he camo to the United 
States, locating at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 
He remained there until December 11, 1856, 
when he came to, Jackson County, where he 
owus 106 acres of land in section 22, and 
carries on general farming and stock-raisinw. 
He is a Democrat in his political views, and 
has held a number of public offices, lie is a 
member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity, No. 
291, at North Bend. 



234 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF 



Mr. Peters has been married four times, 
the last to Mena Rahn, in 1844, who died at 
the age of sixty years, at Meh-ose. lie has 
four children living, namely: Augusta, Ma- 
thilda, Mina and Henry. 



(LIAS M. HOLDEN, of NeillsviUe, was 
born in Jay, Essex County, New York, 
December 6, 1836, the son of Levi and 
Ann (McGill) Holden, the former a native of 
Massachusetts, and the latter of England. 
They had six children, of whom only three 
survive. The mother, a native also of Eng- 
land, was a daughter of a Scotch- Irishman, 
and the father of our subject descended from 
Joseph Ilolden, who ' came from Ipswich, 
England, in 1634. Levi Holden died when 
our subject was six years old. Elias M. re- 
ceived a limited education in his native town, 
and at the age of twelve years was thrown 
upon his own resources, after which he sup- 
ported himself by working on a farm. At 
the age of sixteen years he went to live with 
an older brother, and learned the trade of 
house and carriage painting in Fitchburg, 
Massachusetts. In 1857, at twenty-one years 
of age, he came to Wisconsin, where he has 
since remained, having spent eleven years in 
Jackson County and the remainder of the 
time in Clark County. He worked eleven 
winters in the logging camps on Black River, 
and farmed during the summers, the most of 
the time on his own farms. 

He was married August 21, 1861, to Mar 
garet Hyslop, who was born and educated in 
Nova Scotia; her parents came from Scot- 
land. They have no children of their own, 
but adopted Ella A. Bour, Mr. Holden's sis- 
ter's daughter, at six years of age. She is 
now the wife of John N. Richardson, to 
whom she was married in 1882. They have 



a happy family of three boys and two girls, 
and live on a farm in the town of Weston, 
six miles from NeillsviUe. Mr. and Mrs. 
Holden worked hard on a farm until eight 
years ago, when they sold out and built a 
house in NeillsviUe, where they expect to 
spend the remainder of their lives. They 
have means saved from former years. 

Mr. Holden had two brothers in the late 
war, who enlisted in 1862, and one was killed 
in the battle of the Wilderness, and the other 
escaped without injury, being discharged 
March 4, 1865. Mr. Holden came out of 
the logging camps and enlisted under Cap- 
tain O. F. Waller, and at that time weighed 
175 pounds, but when discharged from the 
hospital, in October, 1865, was reduced to 
121 pounds. Coming North saved his life, 
but the army life cost him his health. He 
now belongs to the G. A. R. post at Neills- 
viUe. He has been a Rej^ublican all his life, 
and is a believer in the Bennett school law. 
He also believes this to be the best nation in 
the world, and Wisconsin one of the best 
States, and no man need want that will work 
and save his earnings. 

•°^" ^ * S " S ' ^ ""^ 



HEODORE La BUDDE, NeillsviUe, 
Wisconsin, was born in Germany, Ue- 
W cembor 25, 1851, and came to America 
with his father in 1858. His father settled 
at Plymouth, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, 
becoming one of the pioneer farmers of that 
place. He had a family of live children, all 
of whom are living. At the age of twenty- 
one years Theodore started out in life for 
himself, and since that time has been vari- 
ously employed. February 10, 1877, he was 
united in marriage with Sarah Bringelson, a 
native of Plymouth, Sheboygan County, Wis- 
consin. Four daughters have been born to 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTlE-i. 



335 



them. Mr. La Budde is a lueinher of the K. 
of II. and tlie K. of P. 



tW. GALLAIIER.— Among tlie enter- 
prising citizens of Neillsvilie, Wiscon- 
* s^iii.we find the ifentleman wliosenaine 
heads this sketch, an<l who is an e.xpert ma- 
cliinist and operates a planing and saw mill. 
lie was born in Litchtieid County, Connecti- 
cut, April 19, 1831, son of J. M. and Maria 
Gallaher, natives of a West India island. 
His father was a woolen manufacturer in Con- 
necticut. They moved to Medina County, 
Ohio, when L. W. was seven years old, and 
he obtained his education in the common 
schools of Ohio. There are eight children 
in the family, scattered in different States. 
The father and mother were Wesleyaii Meth- 
odists, and the father a Whig and an Aboli- 
tionist. His death occurred in Warsaw, In- 
diana, and he is buried there. 

The subject of our sketch assisted his 
father in the factory until lie was eighteen 
years oM, and by that time had acquired a 
knowledge of machinery. Then he was on- 
gaged in running engines tor six years. By 
1S53 he had saved up $200. He came to 
Warsaw, Indiana, and opened a planing-mill 
and dooi- factory, which he operated success- 
fully for three or four years. He was united 
in marriage to Abigail Baker, a native of 
Kosciusko County, Indiana, and they liave 
had seven children, namely: Nelson E., Elma 
W., Carrie P., Charles S., Earl L., Owen V., 
lleuben H. Mr. and Mrs. Gallaher are active 
workers as members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, contributing liberally to its 
cliaritios. This worthy couple are devoted 
Christians and exemplary citizens, and have 
the satisfaction of knowing their children 

16 



are following the example set them, and are 
receiving a good education. 

Mr. Gallaher came to Jackson County, 
Wisconsin, in 1868, anil in 1871 came to 
Clark County, settling in Neillsvilie, and for 
a year was interested in the Hub Manufac- 
turing Company. That, however, proved 
unsuccessful, and he came to his present 
location and started his planing-mill and 
sash and door factorj'. In 1880 he was 
burned out, and the following year ho re- 
built. He is now doing a successful business 
and employs a number of Iiands. Mr. Gal- 
laher is a member of the I. O. O. F.,and has 
been for twenty-eight years. 

— -- I ' S u S 'l'--^ 

fYLVANUS S. WARNER, of section 
27, Thorp Township, Clark County, 
was born in Jefferson County, New 
York, April 1, 1840, tlie son of Stephen A. 
(deceased) and Elizabeth (Sweet) Warner. 
The father, a farmer by occupation, was a 
native of Montgomery County, New York. 
The parents liad eleven children, five now 
living: Jonathan B., William S., James A., 
Anna and Sylvanus. 

Mr. Warner, the subject of this sketch, was 
reared on a farm, and I'oceived a common- 
school education in his native county. He 
was a soldier in the late war, in Company F, 
Twentieth New York Cavalry, and served 
two years and three days. In January, 1869, 
he came to Juneau County, Wisconsin, set- 
tling eight miles south of Mauston, where 
he resided until May, 187-1, and in that year 
came to his present farm. His was the first 
wagon to go through from Neillsvilie to 
Chippewa Falls; his nearest postoffice was 
Edson, in Chippewa County, about eleven 
miles distant. While living in Juneau 
County he plowed the ground where the city 



226 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OP 



of Elroy now stands. He settled in this 
county anicng Indians and wild animals, and 
the former had a large pow-wow dance near 
his place, in which over 200 participated. 
He now owns a fine farm of fifty-six acres, 
thirty of which is cleared, where he is en- 
gaged in general farming. 

Mr. Warner was married October 20, 1866, 
to Phoebe J. "Warden, who was born in Jef- 
ferson County, New York, the daughter of 
Darius Warden, deceased. They have five 
children, namely: Bill, Abi, Lizzie, Lewie 
and Susie. Abi was married to Otto Even- 
son, and has one child — Ernest. Mr. War- 
iier was a member of the Town Board of 
Thorp when it was first organized, and has 
also been School Clerk and School Treasurer. 
He is a member of the G. A. R. 



I^^ENRY V. JERALD, of section 32, 
Thorp Township, Clark County, was 
born in Wilmer Township, Herkimer 
County, New York, July 30, 1836, the son 
of William Jerald, deceased, a native of 
Yorkshire, England, who came to the United 
States when a young man. He was an 
English soldier, and was sent to Kingston, 
Canada, and from that city, with others, de- 
serted and came to the States. He settled 
in Herkimer County, and in 1839 removed 
to Jefferson County, same State, and settled 
in Theresa Township, where Henry V. was 
reared to farm life and educated in the com- 
mon schools, and also in the Academy of 
Theresa. Before the war he sailed on the 
lakes several years, after which he went to 
Branch County, Michigan. He was a soldier 
in the late war, in Company G, Ninth Michi- 
gan Volunteer Infantry, and participated in 
the battle of Murfreesborough, where he was 
captured and taken to Winchester, Tennessee, 



but was paroled after two days. After the 
war Mr. Jerald returned to Jetfersbn County, 
New York, and the following spring (1866) 
resumed sailing on the lakes. In the fall of 
1876 he came to Juneau County, Wisconsin; 
in the fall of 1878 to this county, and the 
next spring settled on his present farm of 
eighty acres, thirty of which he has since 
cleared. 

He was married August 13, 1863, to Hes- 
ter A. Wright, who was born in St. Lawrence 
County, New York, the daughter of William 
Wright, deceased. They have had two chil- 
dren: Alice B. and Mary E. The former 
married Marttelo Warner, of this county, and 
has three children: Grace, Peter and Will- 
iam. Mary died January 16, 1889, at the 
age of twenty-two years. She was married 
to Jerome B. Carkins, who lives with Mr. 
Jerald. She left three children: Henry B., 
Iva B. and William O. Mr. Jerald has 
served as Town Clerk one year, Justice of 
the Peace two years, and School Clerk one 
year. Politically he is a Republican. 



•4«f- 



^ATTHEW K. PYNN, a prominent 
fiWOK farmer of Jackson County, was born 
^^^ in Harbor Grace, Newfoundland, 
May 25, 1827, the son of Edward Pynn, who 
was born in Muscato, same country, March 
29, 1804. He came to this country June 0, 
1849, locating in Waukesha County, Wis- 
consin. He followed the life of a sailor in 
Newfoundland for twenty years, after which 
he followed various other pur.-uits, and also 
held several minor ottices in his county. He 
died in Waukesha County, at the age of 
seventy-two years. He was a well-to-do 
man, and was a member of the Episcopalian 
Church. His father, Thomas Pynn, was a 
native of the saine country, and was also a 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



sailor all his life. Our subject's mother, nee 
Aiiiiii Karney, was horn in Harbor Grace in 
1800, and died at the age of eighty years, in 
Waukesha County, Wisconsin. She was the 
daughter of Matthew and Anna (Garland) 
Karney, the former a native of England, and 
the latter of Ireland, and both died at an ad- 
vanced aae. The father was a merchant and 
ship-owner, and was a very prominent man. 
Mr. and Mrs. Pyiin were the parents of 
thirteen children, viz.: Matthew K., Edwin 
J., Angolena, George, Edward, Julia, Kath- 
rine, Anna, Mary, Arnold, Frances, and one 
who died in infancy. Edward J. and Julia 
are now deceased. 

Matthew K., their eldest child, was reared 
and educated on a farm in Harbor Grace, and 
in 1843 began life as a sailor, and made six 
voyages, seal hunting on the coast of Labra- 
dor, and spent three summers on the coast of 
Labrador, coasting and trading among the 
Esquimaux. In 1849 he came to this coun- 
try with his father, locating in Waukesha, 
Wisconsin. In 1852 he went to what is now 
called Waushara, where he took up a claim 
and afterward returned home to help his 
father harvest, but while he was away some 
parties "jumped" his claim, and he became 
disgusted and never returned to it again. 
He remained with his father most of the 
time until 1855, when he came to Jackson 
County, locating in the town of Melrose, 
where he worked in a saw-mill until 1860. 
In that year he bought sixty acres of land. 

August 11, 1802, he enlisted at North 
J'end as a private in the late war, in Company 
C, Thirtieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, 
and was first ordered to St. Louis, where they 
joined the Sully expedition against the Sioux. 
Tiiey went up the Missouri River and heij)ed 
to build Fort Rice. From the month of 
Se[)tember, 1864, Mr. I'ynn kept a diary of 
his important . marches, thus: "September 



11, marched eighteen miles, and camped on 
Cannon-Ball River, without tents. Septem- 
ber 12, one wagon and a yoke of cattle were 
sent back to Fort Rice; marched eighteen 
miles and camped on Prairie Creek. Sore 
feet was the general complaint, and several of 
the boys gave out. September 13, marched 
twenty miles on Muddy Run, and September 
14 marched fifteen miles and camped on 
Cannon-Ball River, where the cavalry killed 
some buifalo. September 15, marched twenty- 
one miles; camped on Bad Creek, in an In- 
dian town natneil Wauka-paw-secha. Sep- 
tember 16, Indians surprised our camp, and 
ran off sixteen horses. Again marched 
twenty miles, and camped on Cannon-Ball 
River. September 17, marched fifteen miles; 
September 18, eighteen miles, with neither 
wood nor water, and eighteen oxen gave out. 
September 19, marched eighteen miles, and 
saw many signs of Indians. September 20, 
broke camp at four o'clock a. m., marched 
twenty miles, and arrived at Captain Fisk's 
Corral. Captain Fisk had been captured by 
the Indians, and we were then wing to his 
rescue, in which we succeeded, and took him 
back to Fort Rice. There we found orders 
from the War Department to build flat-boats 
and go down the river to St. Louis, thence to 
St. Joe, Missouri, next to Quincy, and tiien 
to Louisville. In Deceml)er we were ordered 
to the battle of Nashville, where we were 
held in reserve." 

Mr. Pynn received his discharge August 
24, 1805, at Madison, Wisconsin. After the 
war Mr. Pynn commenced work on his farm 
at Melrose, where he now owns 185 acres in 
sections 22, 27 aiul 28, residing in the latter 
section. He carries on creneral farniinif and 
stock-raising, but gives especial attention to 
the rearing of Poland-China hogs. Politi- 
cally he is a Repul)lican, and was the first 
Constable elected in Melrose. He is also 



228 



BIOGRAPHICAL UISTORT OF 



a memLer of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 

He was married February 24, 1854, to 
Phcebe A. Bullock, who was born in Attica, 
New York, ir 1829, the daughter of Ebenezer 
and Huldah Bullock, natives of Wyoming 
County, New York. Tiiey came to Jackson 
County, Wisconsin, in an early day, where 
they subsequently died. Mrs. Pynn died at 
about forty-five years of age, leaving six chil- 
dren, namely: Eva, Carrie, Alice, Charlie, 
Anna and Lyle. Eva, Alice and Anna are 
now deceased. August 16, 1882, Mr. Pynn 
married Martha Robinson, who was born in 
Somerset County, Pennsylvania, the daugh- 
ter of John and Mary liobinson, natives of 
Maryland. They came to Greene County, 
Wisconsin, where the mother died. After 
her death the father came to Jackson County, 
where he also died. 

g - 3 . T - g '— 



tAVID CARPENTER, deceased, late of 
section 28, Withee Township, Clark 
County, was born near Buffalo, New 
York, November 18, 1827, the son of Joseph 
Carpenter, also deceased, a native of the same 
place. The father was a soldier in the war 
of 1812. David was reared to farm life, and 
received his education in the common schools 
of his native State. At the age of eighteen 
years he came to Chemung Township, Mc- 
Henry County, Illinois. In July, 1857, he 
removed to Black River Falls, where he 
worked in the saw-mills and also on the river 
until he came to this county, in June, 1871. 
He took a homestead of 120 acres, and in 
June of the following year brought his fam- 
ily to this place, where they still reside. He 
worked in the lumber camps during the win- 
ters, and was engaged in clearing his land 
and farming in the summers. Mr. Carpenter 



has held the office of Assessor two years, 
Justice of the Peace two terms, and was a 
member of the School Board several years. 
He was also a member of the A. O. U. AV. 
He was married in McHenry County, Illi- 
nois, June 20, 1851, to Miss Rhoda P. Stiles, 
who was liorii in Franklin County, Vermont, 
January 21, 1836, the daughter of Samuel 
Stiles, deceased. They had seven children, 
five of whom are now living, namely: Elsie, 
now Mrs. Marshall; Cynthia, who married 
Mr. Poppe; Harriet, Edgar and Howard. 
The last three are now living with their 
mother on the old homestead. The father 
died November 16, 1882, and was buried in 
Black River Falls. His son Edgar is an en- 
terprising young man, and bids fair for future 
prosperity. He was born in Black River 
Falls, Wisconsin, May 8, 1871, and was 
brought to this county when an infant, where 
he received but limited educational ad- 
vantages. He now works in the pineries 
during the winters, and works on the home- 
stead in the summers. 

101-1.1^ « 2' 'i •«v"^"**' 

F. BRAULIN, merchant, Neillsville, 
jYIH Wisconsin, was born in Syracuse, 
» New York, May 12, 1850. His 
father was born in France, and his mother in 
New York State. In his father's family were 
ten children, he being the seventh born. At 
the early age of thirteen years he began 
working in the lumber woods of Brown 
County, Wisconsin, receiving $30 per month. 
At the age of sixteen, in 1869, he took a trip 
up the Mississippi River, and ran a ferry on 
Lake Pepin. Returning to Brown County, 
he learned the blacksmith's trade there in 
1867, and worked at it until eight years ago, 
when he enj^aired in the mercantile business 
at Neillsville. He is buying and selling pine 




GLARE AND JAGKWN COUNTIES. 



23D 



saw-logs and tiiiilier, aii'l lias a getieral irier- 
chandise store, aii<l lij fair and holiest deal- 
ings lias worked up an extensive traile. 

In 1870 Mr. Braiiliii was married, in 
Wriglitstowii, Wisconsin, to Ollie R. Taylor, 
dangliter of Benjamin Taylor, a fanner of 
Brown County. She received her education 
in the common schools. They have four chil- 
dren, namely: Ida M., Sadie, Lester ¥. and 
William II. H.,all receiving good educational 
advantages. Mr. Braulin began married life 
with limited means. The first year he worked 
for $28 jier month, and saved up $80. With 
that, in 1872, he started a blacksmith shop 
at Green's Mill, where he was successfully 
engaged for two years; then he bought a 
liarn and ran it for three years; sold and 
moved to Greenleaf, Brown County; went 
into the machinery and wagon manufacture 
for lour years, then sold out and moved to 
Neillsville. As the years went by he accu- 
mulated a snug little sum of money, with 
which he purchased an eighty-acre farm in 
lirown County. Mr. Braulin is associated 
with the I. O. O. F. at Neillsville. He and 
his wife are members of the Baptist Church. 

"' "' ^ * 3 ' ' I ' S" ' " ' 



Jl^lflLI^IAMT. MURRAY, one of the 
leading business men of Jackson 
County, lias been identified with the 
interests of Black River Falls since the year 
1857. His father, William M. Murray, was 
a native of Huntingdon County, Pennsyl- 
vania. He married Miss Hannah Price, 
daughter of William Price, and sister of the 
Hon. William T. Price. The family removed 
to Black River Falls in 1857, and one year 
later went to Iowa, locating near Davenport; 
thence they moved to Iowa City, where the 
mothor died; the father then returned to 
Davenport, where be died at the age of si.xty- 



four years; there were eight sons born to 
these worthy parents, all of whom, excejitiiig 
one, grew to maturity. 

William T. Murray was born in Hunting- 
don County, Pennsylvania, in 1838, and is the 
second born. The first employment he had 
after coming to Wisconsin was acting as stacre 
agent for William T. Price and Hugh Doug- 
las. About this time Mr. Douglas was elected 
Treasurer of Jackson County, and placed Mr. 
Murray in charge of the business con- 
nected therewith; the latter was still under 
age, but he occupied this position for a period 
of two years, and at the end of that time 
entered the law office of C. R. Johnson as a 
student. After a time he determined t<. see 
more of the country lying west, and he ac- 
cordingly went to Sioux City, Iowa, which 
was then a frontier town. Finding the oppor- 
tunities for advancement not so good as in 
Black River Falls he returned to that place, 
and again took up his studies with Mr. John- 
son; when the latter gentleman was elected 
to tjie State Legislature Mr. Murray had en- 
tire control of the business. 

In the spring of 1861 he abandoned the 
legal profession and entered the employ of 
D. J.Spaulding, with whom ho remained for 
a period of eighteen years; in the beginning 
he received the munificent salary of $16 per 
month, but in process of time, by his ener- 
getic labors and faithful performance of duty 
in behalf of his employer, his position was 
advanced and his salary increased in accor- 
dance with his responsibilities. 

In 1862 he was appointed Deputy- Provost 
Marshal of Clark County, the duties of 
which office did not encroach upon his reo-n- 
lar business. In connection with the salaried 
position which he occupied he formed a part- 
nership with Mr. Spauldingand M. B. War- 
ner in the lumber business, the firm beincr 
Warner, Murray & Co. This relationship 



230 



BIOOMAPHICAL HISTORY OP 



existed eleven years, when Messrs. Murray 
and Warner purcliased the interest of Mr. 
Spanlding; soon after the partnership as it 
then existed was dissolved, and Mr. Murray 
continued alone until 1887; in that year lie 
discontinued the part of the business which 
comes under the head of logging, but re- 
mained actively engaged in the lumber trade. 

Mr. Murray owns about 8,000 acres of 
land, a portion of which has been cleared and 
placed under cultivation; he gives some at- 
tention to the raising of live-stock and has 
met with good success. In 1874 he entered 
into partnership with II. B. Jones in the 
hardware business at Black Kiver Falls, and 
still owns his interests there. In 1884 he 
and his son, in company with Alexander Hys- 
lop of La Crosse and J. C Bowden, entered 
into business relations for the purpose of 
carrying on the lumber trade, the firm being 
known as Bowden & Murray Lumber Com- 
pany. Tile wholesale ofHce of this hrm is in 
Minneapolis, Minnesota, and they operate with 
a capital of $100,000 

Mr. Murray is president of the Price 
Manufacturing Company, and has been since 
its orgarrization ; he is a stockholder and 
President of the First National Bank of 
Black liiver l^alls. The facts here given are 
sufficient to show that our subject is a man 
of superior business qualifications; he is a 
mail of absolute iiitegrity of character, and 
socially and financialiy ranks with the leading 
men of the county. lie has served on the 
County Board for live year.s, four years of the 
time being chairman; he has been a member 
of the City Council, and of the School 
Board, and is deeply interested in the moral, 
religious and educational growth of the 
people. 

Mr. Murray was united in marriage to 
Miss Sarah E. Cutts, a daucfliter of Rev. 
William H. and Anna Cutts, natives of Eng- 



land. Mrs. Murray was born at Bellville, 
New Jersey, and removed to Wisconsin with 
her brother-in-law, Jeremy Taylor, a well- 
known citizen of Jackson County. Mr. and 
Mrs. Murray are the parents of seven 
children, two deceased: William P., Anna, 
Margaret, Julia and Theodore. Anna is the 
wife of Pliny Jones of this county. In 1879 
the family was called to mourn the death 
of the wife and mother, which occurred De- 
cember 17. 



io> " I ; » 2 * * S * S ** ' " — 



NDREW PETERSON, of section 10, 
Eaton Township, Clark County, was 
born in Central Norway, June 12, 
1846, a son of Peter Olson (deceased), a na- 
tive of the same country, who came to the 
United States in 1872. He was born in 
1801, and died in 1885. Our subject's 
mother, nee Mary Olson, was also born in 
Norway, in 1804, and died in Greenwood 
prior to her husband's death. They were the 
parents of five children: Elias, Ole, Hannah, 
Carl (deceased) and Andrew. 

The subject of this sketch came to the 
United States in 1868, stopping the first 
summer in Black River Falls, but in Octo- 
ber of the same year removed to Neillsville, 
where he remained fifteen years, engaged at 
the shoemaker's trade. He came to his pres- 
ent farm of sixtj-one acres in 1883, and has 
since cleared thirty acres. He has one of the 
best farms in the county, the soil being of 
a sandy loam, which produce immense crops. 
Mr. Peterson was married June 11, 1870, to 
Olive Isaacson, who was born in Norway, the 
daughter of Isaac Isaacson, deceased. Of 
their six children, four are still living: 
Maria, Albert, Edward and Isabelle. Maria 
is now teacliing in the town of Withee, two 
miles west of Withee Station. The mother 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



231 



died Aiiu-ust 'i, 1879, ami hotii slie and lier 
husband were loeiabers uf tlie Lutheran 
Churcli Politically Mr. Peterson is a Ue- 
publican, and has also been an active mem- 
ber of tlie 1. O. O. F., in both the subordi- 
nate and encampment lodges, for many years. 
lie became identified with the subordinate 
lodoe at Neillsville in the winter of 1871- 
'72, and has been an active member ever 
since, liaving transferred his nieinbership to 
Greenwood in the summer of 1890. 

— ' "1 ' 2 1' S ' I" "- 




^ARTIN MATHISON, of section 
12, Eaton Townsliip, Clark County, 
was born in Norway, October 29, 
1838, the son of Arnohl Mathison, de- 
ceased, a native of the same country. lie 
was a seafaring man, and was lost at sea 
when our subject was three months old. lie 
was reared and educated in the city of 
Trondhjem, where he learned and followed 
the ])otter's trade. In 1861 he came to Can- 
ada, remaining until the fall of 1862, when 
he went to Manistee County, Michigan, an<l 
worked in the pineries eight months. In 
1863 he came to Black River Falls, Wiscon- 
sin, where he worked in the saw-mills and 
also in the woods until 1870, and in that 
year came to Warner Township, this county, 
and worked in the woods that winter. In 
1871 he removed to Loyal Township, where 
he commenced to open a farm, but in 1882 
came to his present place, which was then 
covered with tiniber. He now owns forty 
acres, twenty-six of which is cleared. 

Mr. Mathison was married May 20, 1863, 
U> Caroline Sewaldson, a native of Norway, 
and they have six children: Mary C, Annie, 
Henry, John C, Benjamin and Albert. 
Mary was married to Wilbert Stoneburner, 
of this city, and has four children: Inez, 



IJertha, Harry and Elsie. Mr. Mathison 
was Postmaster of Loyal, and is now a Di- 
rector of the School Board of this city. Re- 
ligiously he is a member of the Lutheran 
Church, and politically a Republican. 



lOBERT DOUGLAS, a farmer of Jack- 
lA\i ®*^" Connty, was born in Kirkcudbright- 
shire, Scotland, August 30, 1815, the 
son of Thomas Douglas, who was also born 
in Scotland, in the year 1787. In 1844 he 
came to this country, locating in Jackson 
County. Wisconsin, where the town of Mel- 
rose now is. He was a cattle-buyer by occu- 
pation. He subsequently went to Clark 
County, this State, where he died at about 
the age of sixty-five years. His father was 
also born in Scotland, and died there at the 
age of 100 years. He was a farmer by occu- 
pation, and was a very prominent man. Our 
subject's mother, Jane (Dalryple) Douglas, 
was born in Scotland in 1787, and died there 
at an advanced age. They were the parents 
of eleven children, viz.: John, James, Will- 
iam, Jane, Robert, Hugh, Thomas, Isaljella, 
David, George and Mark. All are deceased 
but William, Robert, Hugh and Mark. 

The subject of this sketch, the fifth child, 
was reared and educated in his native coun- 
try. In 1837 he came to the United States, 
locating in Jackson County, Wisconsin, in 
the spring of 1840, and at that time he and 
Jacob Spaulding were the only white men in 
the county. In 1842 he built a saw-mill, 
which proved a failure on account of not 
having sutticient water-power. In the fall of 
the same year he took a claim at North Bend, 
and also built a mill there, using the 
machinery in the old mill. With his brotlusr 
Thomas, and brother-in-law, Jason Walker, 
he ran tliis mill until 1854, wlmn Mr. Doug- 



233 



BIOGRAPHICAL IIISTOIiT OF 



las sold his interest to liis brotlier Tlioinas. 
When he tirstcame to this county Mr. Dong- 
las took up 1,100 acres of land in Melrose, 
and after selling the tnill he went back to 
this land. lie furnislied the material for a 
steamboat, which he ran about three years, 
and again went to Iiis farm, where he has 
since remained. lie now owns 300 acres in 
sections 17 and 20. lie received his natural- 
ization papers in 1840; politically he is a 
Republican. He joined the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church in 1840. 

He was married in September, 1852, to 
Louisa Hurd,who was born in Vermont, and 
died in Melrose, Jackson County, Wisconsin, 
at the age of sixty-one years. She was a 
daughter of Norman Hurd, also a native of 
Vermont, who came to Jackson County in 
1855, where he died at the age of sixty-four 
years. Mr. and Mrs. Douglas had seven 
children, two of whom are now living — John 
and Archibald. In 1868 he was married to 
Mrs. Mary Pardun, by whom he had one 
child — Mary J. 



' ?"!• 



FRED SCHMIDT, a farmer of section 
27, Mayville Township, was born iu 
'.® Germany, March 14, 1848, the son 
of August Schmidt, deceased. The father 
brought his family to the United States in 
1853, settling in the town of Sheboygan 
Falls, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, in the 
dense woods, among Indians and wild ani- 
mals. He cleared a good I'arm, but in 1877 
removed to Winnebago County, where he 
died the next year. The parents had six 
children: Fred, Christian, William, August, 
Adolline and Fredrica. All live in Clark 
County, except Christian, who resides in 
Sheboygan City. 

The sul)ject of tliis sketch was reai'ed on a 



farm, and received a common-school educa- 
tion. Pie came to this county in 1880, and 
settled on his present farm of eighty acres, 
on the northeast corner of section 27, and 
has since cleared twenty-eight acres. He has 
been a member of the Side Board two years, 
and is now chairman of the same. He is a 
member of the Evangelical Association at 
Dorchester. Mr. Schmidt was married De- 
cember 23. 1872, to Ida Colberg, a daughter 
of Christian Colberg, of Sheboygan County. 
Of their six children four survive: William, 
Charles, Bertha and Elsie. 



►>^f- 



ffOSEPH RINGROSE. — Prominent 
; among the early pioneers of Jackson 
County we find the name that heads 
this sketcii. Mr. Ringrose has been a resi- 
dent of Wisconsin for forty years, has been 
an eye-witness to the many changes that 
have taken place here, and is loaded with 
many pleasing reminiscences connected with 
the early settlement of this country. He 
first located in Merton, Waukesha County, 
in 1850, and remained there four years and 
a half. He has always been of an industri- 
ous nature, was variously employed at differ- 
ent places, and although he received small 
wages, he saved what he made, and by the 
time he came to Jackson County, in 1855, 
he had $500. He then located on the farm 
where he now lives, in section 11, Garden 
Valley Township. At the time he settled 
here they had to go forty or fifty miles to 
Sparta for a good market: there was no grist 
mill nearer than twelve miles, and deer and 
other wild game were plenty. Mr. Ringrose 
built the house in which he now lives. He 
states that when he first went to housekeep- 
ing they had but one bed. Many were the 
obstacles they had to encounter in those 



CLMiK AND JA0K80N COUNTIES. 



33a 



days, but they met them bravely, overcoming 
them ill true pioneer style, and are now on- 
joying the fruits of their labor. Mr. Uinir- 
rose's parents both died in England. 

Mr. Uingrose was born in Yorkshin^ Eng- 
land, May 17, 1828. November 16, 185G, 
he was united in marriage with JancTurnell, 
daughter of Thomas Turnell. Her parents 
both died in Garden Valley. To this worthy 
eou])le nine children have been born. All 
have been well educated, three having at- 
tended college after finishing the common 
schools. Two of the children are married, 
one of whom resides in Milwaukee. Mr. 
liingrose has been Treasurer of the School 
BoarcJ for nine year.s, and has also served as 
School Director. 



fKOKGE RALSTON, a prominent farm- 
er ot Jackson County, was born in 
Sullivan County, New York, April 20, 
18-12, the son of Archibald Kalston, who 
was born in Rensselaer County, same State, 
in 1807, and died in Sullivan County, at the 
ago of seventy-three years. He was a farmer 
by occupation. In the early days he was a 
Whig, Itut afterward became a Democrat. 
Our subject's mother, nee Elizabeth Mc- 
Naughton, was Iiorn in Rensselaer County, 
New York, in 1809, and died in Sullivan 
County, at the age of sixty-two years. They 
were both members of the Methodist Ejtisco- 
pal Church. They were the parents of ten 
children, viz.: Margaret A., Douglas, John 
II., Martha J., David S., Geoi'ge, James A., 
Mary E., Seth and Harriet, live (jf whom are 
still living: Margaret A., John II., Martha 
J., George and Harriet. 

George Ralston, our subject, the sixth 
child, was reared and educateil on a farm in 



Sullivan County, New York. He enlisted 
at Monticello, in the late war, as a private in 
Company B, One Hundred and Forty-third 
New York Infantry, and participated in the 
battles of Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mount- 
ain, Rentonville, and many minor engage- 
ments. He was honorably discharged at 
Hart's Island, New York, July 25, 1865. 
After the war he returned to Sullivan County, 
where he followed farming and lumbering 
until 1872, w'hen he came to Jackson County, 
Wisconsin. He owns ninety acres of farm 
land and fifty acres of timber, in section 18, 
where he gives considerable attention to rais- 
ing blooded horses in addition to general 
farming. He is a member of the G. A. R. 
Post, No. 161, at Melrose, and is also a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Mr. Ralston was married May 24, 1867, to 
Mary Hunt, who was born in Sullivan Coun- 
ty, New York, August 7, 1833, the daughter 
of Jacob and Nellie (Wyncoop) Hunt, natives 
of New York. Tlie father was a carpenter 
by trade, and died in Pennsylvania, at the 
age of eighty-one years. The mother died 
in Sullivan County, at the age of thirty-nine 
years. Mrs. Mary (Hunt) Ralston is one of 
a family of eleven children, three sisters and 
seven brotluu-s, nine of whom are still living. 
Five of her brothers enlisted in the Union 
army: Reuben, in the Fifty-sixth New York, 
and served four years: John and Abram C. 
in the One Hundred and Forty-third New 
York, and served each three years; Francis 
in the One Hundred and Forty-f(jurth New 
York, and served two years; and Jacob, also 
in the One Hundred and Forty-fourth and 
served one year, participating in a great 
many hard-fought baatles. Mrs. Ralston is 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
at Melrose. Mr. and Mrs. Ralston have 
foui' children : Douglas, born April 3, 18()8; 
John, born June Hi, 1871; Clara, born Sep- 



234 



BIOGRAPHICAL HlSTOSy OF 



tember 21, 1873, and Addison, born Decem- 
ber 5, 1876. 



rilOMAS V. CARLETON, of Neills- 
ville, was born in Waldo County, 
Maine, January 14, 1820, the son of 
Levi (deceased) and Abigail (Colben) Carle- 
ton. The father was a soldier in the army 
in the war of 1812. His father and brother, 
Jonathan and John Carleton, came to the 
United States during the Revolutionary war, 
and participated in that struggle on the 
American side, while another brother. Colo- 
nel Carleton, commanded a regiment in the 
British army, and surrendered with Corn- 
wallis at "Vorktown. Mr. and Mrs. Carleton 
had four sons and two daughters, three of 
whom survive: Thomas, our subject; George, 
of Los Angeles; and Adaline, now Mrs. 
Hutchinson, of Rockford, Illinois. 

At the age of tifteen the subject of this 
sketch went to Aroostook, Maine, and during 
the war helped build a fort for General 
Scott. In 1846 the family removed to She- 
boygan County, Wisconsin, and settled in 
Linden Township, and the same year Mr. 
Carleton went as a volunteer soldier in the 
Mexican war, in Company C, First Massa- 
chusetts Volunteer infantry, under Colonel 
Wright. He participated in the battles of 
Ruena Vista, Contreras, Churubusco, Te- 
hultepec and Molino del Rey, and helped 
capture the city of Mexico. After the war 
Mr. Carleton came to Sheboygan County, 
and worked in the llouring-millb there until 
1861, when he entered the employ of the 
United States as recruiting officer, and raised 
four companies. In 1868 he removed to Al- 
gona, Iowa, where he was engaged as chief 
miller in a flouring- mill until 1871, and in 
that year came to Neillsville. Here he was 



first engaged in milling, but failing health 
caused him to retire, and since that time has 
held the office of janitor of the North Side 
public school in this city; he also draws a 
pension . 

Mr. Carleton was married July 4, 1849, to 
Aurilla, daughter of Henry Burgess, de- 
ceased. They have five children: Ellen, 
Henry, Charles, Clinton and Nettie. All of 
the children live in this county, except Clin- 
ton, who resides in La Crosse. While in 
Sheboygan County, before the war, Mr. 
Carleton was Captain of an independent rifle 
company of State troops. He is now a 
member of the G. A. R. and Masonic orders, 
and is Tyler of the latter. Mrs. Carleton is 
a member of the order of Rebekah and 
W. R. C. 



fOIIN B. McMillan, M. D., Mernllon 
Wisconsin, was born in Detroit, Michi- 
gan, March 27, 1860. He is a son of 
James and Margaret McMillan, the father a 
native of Scotland, and the mother of New 
York State. He is the second born of a 
family of five children. He received his edu- 
cation in the public schools of Detroit, and 
also attended the University of Toronto two 
years, graduating afterwards in Toronto Nor- 
mal School, receiving a teacher's perpetual 
diploma. Then he taught in the public 
schools of Ontario, Canada, and in a high 
school of that province, being engaged in 
that profession five years. He attended the 
Detroit Medical College, was elected treas- 
urer of the senior class, and was honored by 
the students of the Detroit Medical College, 
in 1888-'89, by being appointed president of 
the Literary Society. After finishing his 
course and receiving his diploma, he engaged 
in the practice of his ])rofossion in Jackso 



ULARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



235 



County, Wisconsin. He located in Merrillon 
in 1889, and is rapidly acqnirino; the confi- 
dence of the people among whom lie has cast 
his lot. He has been very successful in 
establishing a practice here, giving his 
special attention to surgery. He is a mem- 
ber of the K. of P. Politically he is a Re- 
pHl>lican. 






^BEN G.GOWERwas born in Somerset 
County, Maine, February 18, 1833. He 
received his education in the district 
schools of his native State, and when a small 
boy was taken from school to drive an ox 
team for his fsither who was engaged in 
logging and working in the woods. He was 
twenty years ohl when Iiis father died, 
leaving a family of fourteen children. 
During his life Mr. Uower was a representa- 
tive man in the community where he resided, 
lie was a strictly temperate man, was a 
member of the Church Board at Hartland, 
was a preacher of the " Christian Band," and 
was twice elected to the General Assembly of 
Maine. 

After the death of his father, which 
occurred in 1854, Eben began working for 
himself, and also assisted in the 8upi)ort of 
his mother and the children. He spent 
three years in the woods, on the river and in 
a saw-mill, after which he came west and 
located in Jackson County, Wisconsin, where 
he was employed in the woods, his first win- 
ter here being very severe and cold. Durino- 
that winter, while on Cunningham Creek in 
(/lark County, the ice broke through with 
him and he froze his feet so badly that he 
feai-ed it would be necessary to amputate one 
of them. However, the doctor said he could 
save the foot by taking off three toes, which 
he did. When he had completed the surgical 



operation, having done it without assistance, 
the doctor remarked to his patient, " You 
have the darndest grit of any man 1 ever 
saw." 

When he came to Jackson County, Mr. 
Gower had $250 that he had saved up by 
hard labor. Since his first winter here he 
has been engaged in farming. In 1862 he 
hought a farm, upon which he now resides. 
It is one-half of section 24, Garden Valley 
Township, and was almost a wilderness at 
the time of purchase. By his industry and 
good management it has been cleared up and 
developed into a fine farm. 

Mr. Gower was married in 1856 to Sai-ah 
Aim Stephens, the daughter of a Wisconsin 
pioneer, who settled in Marquette County 
and lived there until his death. She is one 
of a family of five children, and obtained her 
education in the district schools of Marquette 
County. Eleven children have been born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Gower, eight of whom are 
living, all having had the benefit of good 
educational advantases. 



^..^►^^^Ij^w-.- — 

UGUST F. SCHMIDT, proprietor of 
the Dorchester Broom-Handle Factory 
and Feed Mill, was born in Sheboygan 
Falls, Wisconsin, February 3, 1858, the son 
of Augnst and Wilhelminie (Distelhorst) 
Schmidt, both natives of Germany, who 
came to this country in the early part of 
their married life. They had ten children, 
six of whom still survive, namely: FVeder- 
ick. Christian, William, Frederica, August 
and Adalvine. 

August F\, our subject, was reared on a 
farm, and received his education in the hioh 
school of Plymouth, Wisconsin. He engaged 
in farming to some extent, and also learned 
the carpenter's trade, which he followed 



236 



BIOGRAPHICAL BISTORT OF 



about twelve years. In 1878 lie came to 
Dorohester, and with the exception of six 
montlis in 1887 spent in Taylor County, he 
has since resided here. In 1887 lie estab- 
lished his present business in the village of 
Chelsea, but the next year removed the plant 
to this city, where he has a successful trade. 
Mr. Schmidt was married November 25, 
1877, to Eertha A. Kolberg, a daughter of 
Christian Kolberg, of Sheboygan Falls. Tliey 
have three children: Ida M., Anna A. and 
Sarah A. Mr. Schmidt is now serving his 
second term as Assessor, and is also Notary 
Public. Ho is a member of the Sons of 
Temperance and the Evangelical Association. 



lULLlVAN HUGOBOOM, a lumber- 
man, farmer and liveryman of Dor- 
chester, was born in Perrysburg, Catta- 
raugus County, New York, July 15, 1834, 
the son of Hosea (deceased) and Sally (Sulli- 
van) Ilugobooni, both natives of the State of 
New York. The father, a farmer and lum- 
berman by trade, was a soldier in the war of 
1812, and his father, John Hugoboom, a 
native of New York, was also a soldier in 
that war. The latter's father, a native of 
Germany, came to America with a brother 
when a young man, and both entered the 
Eevolutionary war on tiie American side. 
They perhaps never met again, as there are 
two distinct races of Hugobooms in the 
United States, whose ancestors were Revolu- 
tionary soldiers and came from Germany. 
Mr. and Mrs. Hosea Hngoboom had thirteen 
children, seven of whom still survive: George, 
PrisGiUa, Sally, Hosea, Cynthia, Sullivan and 
Jane. 

The subject of this sketch came to Han- 
cock, Waushara County, Wisconsin, in 
1850, before the laud had been surveyed. 



His father took a homestead on Burr-Oak 
Prairie, on the Indian lands, which our sub- 
ject fanned eight years. He then went to 
Oshkosh, engaged in teaming a short time, 
then served as merchants' police five or six 
years, and also worked at different businesses 
at various j^oints. His brothers, five in num- 
ber, became soldiers in the late war, two of 
whom. Brown and Orren, lost their lives in 
the service. Henry died after leaving the 
army, having been Captain of a company in 
the One Hundred and Forty-fourth New 
York Volunteer Infantry, Tinder McClellan. 
Brown was First Lieutenant of a company in 
the Thirtieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry; 
Orren was color-bearer in the Sixteenth Wis- 
consin Volunteer Infantry, Company E, and 
lost his life in the battle of Atlanta; Hosea ' 
was a fife major in Company E. Sixteenth 
Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and George 
was also a fife major. 

Sullivan Hugoboom came to Dorchester 
in 1875, and built a large hotel called the 
Central House, which he conducted until in 
November, 1889, except three and a half 
years, and since that lime has directed his 
attention to farming and the livery business. 
He owns 260 acres of improved land in this 
county, besides village property in Dorches- 
ter, and 320 acres in Marathon County, 
seven miles east of the latter city. Mr. 
Hugoboom was married January 1, 1856, to 
Melia Woodin, who was born in Munson, 
Geauga County, Ohio, February 26, 1836, 
the daughter of Aaron G. (deceased) and 
Eve Syperlie. The parents had twelve chil- 
dren, ten of whom are now living: Jane, 
Caroline, William, Melia, Margaret, Seymour, 
Kate, George, Florence and Ann. Two sons, 
Timothy and Aaron, died after reaching 
maturity. Mr. and Mrs. Hugoboom have 
had four children, three now living: Eva, 
Flora and Kay. The deceased, Cliarley, died 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



237 



when three years old. Eva inarried Elijah 
Swartliout, of Dorchester, and has two chil- 
dren, Lottie and Joseph. Flora married 
OrvilieVanduesen, of Phillips, Price County, 
Wisconsin, and has two children, Lewis and 
Ivan. Mr. Iliigoboom has been Justice of 
the Peace for two years, and politically is a 
Republican. 

' " "fe ' ^ i ' I ' S ' " ' ■ ■ 



UGUSTUS IIOMSTED, the ju-esent 
I Postmaster, and dealer in driitrs, medi- 
cines, jewelry, notions, wall paper, 
paints, oils, etc., at Dorchester, was born in 
8kowhegan, Somerset County, Maine, Julj' 
11, 1840, the son of Seth W. and PLarriet 
(Ileald) Ilomsted, both natives of Maine. 
They had l)ut one child, Augustus, our sub- 
ject. The father, who was born in the same 
house as his son, was the son of an Eno-lish- 
man, who was brought to the United States 
wlien an infant. Seth Ilomsted emigrated 
to Wausau, Wisconsin, in 1855, thence to 
Stevens Point the next year, where they re- 
mained until alter the war. The father 
served in that struggle, in the First Wiscon- 
sin Cavalry, and was discharged at Cape 
Girardeau for disability. He afterward moved 
to Plover, Wisconsin, where he died in 
January, 188(3. 

The subject of this sketch served in the 
later war, in the United States navy on tiie 
steamer Genesee, for twenty-eight months, 
during which time he was in the battles of 
Port Hudson and Mobile Bay. He then en- 
listed ill Company K, Second Maine Cavalry, 
and served seventeen months, or until the 
close of the war. lie was one of the 1,100 
cavalry who charged on 4,000 infantry at 
Pine Barren Creek, Florida, and succeeded 
in routing the Rebels. After the war Mr. 
Ilomsted clerked in a store at Stevens Point 



several years, where he also engaged in the 
merchandising business for two years. He 
came to Dorchester in the fall of 1877, and 
took a homestead just across the line in 
Marathon County, where he lived thirteen 
months. In 1878 he went to Colby and ran 
a hotel until the summer of 1880, then went 
to Unity and engaged in the same business 
two years, aftei' which he came to Dorchester 
and opened a drug store. In July, 1889, he 
was appointed Postmaster; has been Town 
Clerk four years, and also Justice of the 
Peace. While in Unity he held the office of 
Town Clerk, Circuit Court Commissioner, 
and in Stevens Point was City Clerk and 
City Treasurer. 

Mr. Holmsted was married, November 19, 
1879, to Evalyn Ferguson, who was born in 
Girard, Trumbull County, Ohio, the daughter 
of Aaron Ferguson, deceased. They have 
one child, Louis E., born May 25, 1886. Mr. 
Ilomsted is a meml^er of the G. A. R. post, 
of which he was Commander six years, and 
is also a Knight Templar. Politically he is 
a Republican. 

— >^"H^-- 



fOHN SCHAFER, proprietor of the 
Travelers' Home, of Dorchester, was 
born in Dale Township, Outagamie 
County, Wisconsin, September 20, 1857, the 
son of Peter and Elizabeth (Giebel) Schafer, 
both natives of Germany; the former is now 
a general merchant of this city. Tiie parents 
had nine children, eigiit of whom survive: 
George, Caroline, John, Catharine, William, 
Rosa, Elizabeth and Emma. The mother 
subsequently died, and the fathc^r married her 
sister Catharine, and they had three children, 
ail deceased. 

John Schafer, our subject, was reared to 
farm life, and received a common-school edu- 



238 



BIOGRAPHICAL BISTORT OP 



cation in his native county. He was engaged 
in fanning until twenty-tliree years of age, 
after which he ran a cheese factory a few 
years. He came to Dorchester in 1883, and 
has since made this city his home. He was 
married December 3, 1884, to Emma C. 
Spengler, a daughter of Hermann Spengler, 
the yiresent postmaster and merchant of 
Eeadtield, AVaupaca County, Wisconsin. 
They have one child, Erwin P., born Sep 
tember 17, 1887. Mr. Schafer is a member 
of the I. O. O. F., and politically affiliates 
with the Democratic party. 



jRSENE L. ROY, chief clerk and book- 
keeper for the large mercantile house 
of H. La Bossier, Dorchester, was born 
in Montreal, Canada, August 28, 1862, the 
son of Ligori and Mary (Foshier) Roy, both 
natives of Canada, and the latter of French 
parentage. The father, a carpenter and mill- 
wright by trade, emigrated to Fond du Lac 
County, Wisconsin, in 1867, where he is now 
working in J.J. Kennedy's mill at Rib Lake. 
The parents had fourteen children, all of 
whom are living but two, namely: Maxi- 
milian, Louise v., Oliver N., Georgiana, 
Philip, Felix, Olive, Arthur, Louis, Peter 
and Anna. The other two died when small. 
The cliildren are all at Fond du Lac except 
Maximilian, who resides at Marinette, Wis- 
consin. 

Arsene L., their eldest child, was educated 
at the high school of Fond du Lac, and also 
in the Commercial College of that place. 
He came to Dorchester in 1886, and has since 
occupied his present position. He is an 
expert accountant, and is, therefore, well 
fitted for his work, and gives excellent satis- 
faction to his employers and customers. He 
was married April 11, 1888, to Miss Emma 



M., daughter of Charles Allard, deceased, 
late of Dorchester. They had one child, 
Anna Irene, born September 22, 1890, who 
died November 24, 1890. 



>-<rt > ^ SuS ^ j^ ^* ' 



NDREAS F. F. JENSEN, a general 
merchant of Dorchester, was born in 
Denmark, March 15, 1839, the son of 
Peter D. and Severine (Nicholine) Jensen. 
The parents had twelve children, only two of 
whom still survive: Andreas and Amelia. 
The latter, the widow of Mr. Russell, lives in 
Millbank, Grant County, South Dakota. 
Andreas F. came to the United States in 
1851, stopping iirst in New York city, where 
he clerked in a store until 1853, and was 
then engaged in farming until 1873. April 
26, 1861, he enlisted in the late war, in Com- 
pany A, Sixth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, 
and" was mustered in May 10, same year, at 
Baraboo, in the Sauk County Riflemen. He 
participated in the battles of Fredricksburg, 
Chancellorsville, Fitzburgh Crossing, Gettys- 
burg, Hatcher's Run, Mine Run, Gravelly 
Run, Five Forks, Appomattox, Wilderness, 
Spottsylvania and others. He was wounded 
at the latter battle and also at Appomattox, 
and now draws a pension. He was mustered 
out July 15, 1865. 

In Auciust, 1873, Mr. Jensen came to 
where Dorchester now stands, and built a 
shanty on his homestead on section 32, town- 
ship 30, range 1 east, Mayville Township. 
At that time there was no settlement at this 
place, it being a wild forest. In 1874 a small 
saw-mill was built by a Mr. Sands, which 
was operated a part of that season; in 1875 
Mr. Evans built another mill, which was run 
six or seven years, when he failed, and since 
that time other mills have been built and 
operated. The first store was built by D. O. 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



239 



Wiltiuore in 1874, where was kept the first 
stock of goods in the place; the second store 
was started by Mr. Benson; in April, 1876, 
Bonlais & La Bassies estahlished a boot and 
shoo store, and later put in a general stock; 
the first hotel was built in 1874 by Solomon 
Hugoboom, but it was burned in 1890. The 
city now contains over 400 people. Mr. 
Jensen engaged in his present business in 
1881, where he lost what he put in by giving 
credit. Mrs. A. F. F. Jensen started busi- 
ness in 1883, with money coming to her 
from her mother. She owns sixty acres of 
land in the suburbs of Dorchester, and there 
are a store, dwelling, barn, ice-house, etc., on 
this place. 

Mr. Jensen was married, July 4, 1864, in 
Ironton, Sauk County, while home on a fur- 
lough, to Hnldah Small, a daughter of Joseph 
Small, also of Ironton. They have had four- 
teen children, twelve now living, namely: 
Joseph O., Nels, Eleanora, Khoda, Peter, 
Walter, Pearl, Hattie, Andrew, Frederick, 
Harry and Ray. Mr. Jensen was a charter 
member of the G. A. K. post, and has held 
the office of Town Supervisor one year, 
-Noble Grand of the Odd Fellows lodge two 
terms, and Secretary one term. Politically 
he is a liepublican. 

-...-. i .i t - S -.-' 



fACOB BAKER.— Among the successful 
farmers and worthy citizens of Garden 
Yallej' Township, Jackson County, the 
subject of our sketch, who resides in section 
28, is deserving of more than a passing 
notice. 

He was born in Germany, December 21, 
1850, and came to America with his father 
the following year. He received his early 
education in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, 
and remained with his parents until lie was 



twenty years old. At that time he went to 
Chicago, after the fire, and was employed on 
building work, assisting stone masons, for 
which he received $2.25 per day, and then he 
found employment in machine shops. Some 
time later he made a trip to Memphis, Ten- 
nessee, being engaged in steamboating, 
working on a boat that ran between Memphis 
and Louisville, Kentucky. His next employ- 
ment was in the coal mines of Gallatin 
County, Illinois, where he worked three 
months, after which he returned to Chicago. 
A year later he again located in Waukesha 
County, Wisconsin, where he farmed by the 
day for some time. In 1873 he came to 
Jackson County. 

Mr. Baker was married, December 4, 
1877, in this county, to Elizabeth Sichlor. 
They have two children, who are now attend- 
ing the district schools. Mr. Baker has 
served as Town Clerk of Garden Valley 
Township two years. Politically he is a 
Democrat. lie is strictly a temperate man, 
has not tasted whisky for twenty years, and 
is in favor of prohibition. He has been an 
industrious man all his life, and is held in high 
esteem in the community where he resides. 



►^«5- 



ILBERT MoADAM, of Melrose, Jack- 
son County, was born in Ayrshire, Scot- 
land, June 9, 1819, the son of John 
McAdam, a native of Ayrshire, same conn- 
try, where he died at the age of sixt3--one 
years. Our subject's mother, n.ee Isabella 
Patterson, was born in Ayrshire, and died 
there at an advanced age. They were the 
parents of ten children, viz.: Mary, the eldest, 
deceased; John, Jane, Margaret, William, 
James, Hugh, Gilbert, Bella and Mary. 

The sul)jeet of this sketch, their seventh 
child, was reared and educated principally in 



240 



BIOGRAPhWAL HISTORY OF 



Ayrshire. la 1848 he came to this country, 
locating in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. 
In 1850 he removed to Allegany Cou'nty, 
Maryland, where he worked in the coal 
mines until 1861, when he came to Melrose, 
Jackson County, Wisconsin. Here he lias 
120 acres in section 14, where he carries on 
general farming and stock-raising. Politi- 
cally he is a Democrat, and has held many 
minor offices; religiously he is a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Mr. McAdam was married September 15, 
1847, to Jean B. Thompson, who was born 
in Ayrshire, Scotland, December 3, 1826, 
the daughter of James and Agnes (Brown) 
Thompson, both natives of Scotland, where 
they died at an advanced age. The father 
was a wool-manufactui'er by occupation, and 
both he and his wife were members of the 
Presbyterian Church. Mrs. McAdam is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
They are the parents of nine children, viz.: 
John, James, Thomas, Agnes, Isabella, Mag- 
gie E., William H., Robert E. and Emma. 
Four of these children are deceased, namely: 
John, James, Agnes and Emma. 



fACOB E. LUCKEN, of section 14, 
Thorp Township, was born in Froen, 
Norway, September 29, 1842, the son of 
Erick Lucken, deceased, a native of the same 
country. The subject of this sketch was 
reared to farm life, and received a common- 
school education in his native place. In 
1866 he came to the United States, and first 
stopped in Vernon County, Wisconsit), and 
in January, 1867, removed to Eau Claire, 
same State, where he worked at the carpen- 
ter's trade two seasons, and also in the woods. 
In 1869 he went to Minnesota, where for one 
year he worked on a farm in Houston County; 



in 1870 returned to Wisconsin; spent a short 
time in Vernon County; went thence to Au- 
gusta, and in the fall of 1871 again came to 
Clark County and settled on section 11, town- 
ship 26, range 4 west, Eaton Township. He 
remained there until February, 1876, when 
he settled on his present farm of 160 acres, 
thirty-five of which is cleared. 

Mr. Lucken was married April 24, 1869, 
to Carrie Peterson, a daughter of Peter 
Peterson, deceased. They have had eight 
children, five of whom still survive: Chris- 
tian, Edward, John, Paul and Rosie. One 
daughter, Annie, died at the age of nine 
years. Mr. Lucken has held the office of 
Constable; has been a member of the Town 
Board one year, and School Treasurer several 
years. 



fRED A. DISTELHORST, a prominent 
merchant of Dorchester, was born in 
Hanover, Germany, July 25, 1860, the 
son of Fred and Rose (Remmeir) Distel- 
horst. The parents emigrated to Sheboygan 
County, Wisconsin, in the fall of 1865, set- 
tling in the woods. With the help of his 
sons the father succeeded in clearing 100 
acres where they now reside. They had five 
children: Wlliam, Fred, Charles, Rose and 
Helen. William now resides in Emporia, 
Kansas; Rose, the wife of Fred Laack, lives 
in this city; Helen, the wife of Henry Ges- 
sert, in Sheboygan; and Charles lives on the 
homestead with his father. 

Fred A., our subject, was reared to farm 
life, and in 1879 removed to Chicago, where 
he attended evening school, and also worked 
at the carpenter's trade three years. He 
then returned to Sheboygan County, where 
he worked in a creamery until the fall of 
1886, and then came to Dorchester and estab- 





C>^ <^^y^£^ (r/W^ 



'^-K--t y 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



241 



lished liis prosent creamery. He soon after- 
ward erected a store building, and has since 
kept a general stock of goods. He sliips his 
butter to Ashland, Wisconsin, and also gives 
the farmers the full benefit of the market 
price at that city withont asking pay for his 
work in making. He has recently put in a 
new and improved churc, which is run by 
steam power. During the summer months 
he churns every day, l)ut not quite so often 
during the winter. 

He was married October 28, 1882, to 
Phillipine Boerger, who w<is born in Sheboy- 
gan County, Wisconsin, a daughter of Anton 
Boerger, deceased. They have four children: 
AValter, Birdie, Rose and Charles. Mr. 
Distelhorst is a member of the Lutheran 
Church. 



J. SPAULDING.— No name is so 
prominently identified with the earliest 
* history of Black River Falls as that of 
Jacob Spaulding, the father of the subject of 
tiiis biography. The Spaulding family is 
numbered among tiie pioneers of the Massa- 
chusetts Colony. The first American ances- 
tor was Edward Spaulding, who came to 
Braintree, Massachusetts, about the year 
1033. The records of the colony show that 
he was made a freeman in 11^)40. His de- 
scendants became numerous in New England, 
and many of them took an active part in the 
settlement and development of the country. 

Jacob Spaulding was of the seventh genera- 
tion in direct descent from Edward Spauld- 
ing; he was born in Massachusetts in 1810, 
and is a son of Jeremiah Sj)aulding. There 
were ten children in the family, all of whom 
except one daughter lived to maturity. Their 
names are: Isaac C, David, Jeremiah D., 
Mercy, Lois, Wealthy J., Elmira, Sarali P. 

17 



and Jacob. The father was a stone-mason 
by trade; he emigrated from Massachusetts 
to New York about 1830, and six years later 
went to Illinois. Jacob Spaulding leariK>d 
the trade of a millwright, anil early in life 
was engaged in bridge-building. He married 
Nancy Jane Stickner, a native of the State of 
New York, and in 1886 accompanied his 
father's family to Warsaw, Hlinois. The 
father died at Johnstown, New York, while 
on a visit there to bis children. 

In 1838, when the Indians ceded the lands 
along the Black Ri%'er, Jacob Spaulding be- 
came a member of the colony that made the 
first settlement that was permanent at Black 
River Falls; an attempt had been made as 
early as 1810, but the Indians had driven the 
would-be colonists away. It would be im- 
possible in a sketch of this character to give 
in detail the history of this settlement. Mr. 
Spaulding became the most conspicuous and 
influential member of the expedition. Some 
of the members returned to their former 
homes, and others settled elsewhere. 

Mr. Spaulding finally became sole owner of 
the fine water-power on Black River, and of 
much of the adjacent property. lie was a 
man of wonderful force of character and in- 
domitable will. He continued a resident of 
Black River Falls, highly respected and 
esteemed, until his death, which occurred in 
January, 1876. 

Dudley J. Spaulding, son of the above, is 
one of three children, Mai-y and Angeline 
being the other two. He was born at Johns- 
town, New York, in 1834, and when a mere 
lad was taken by his parents to Illinois, 
where the educational advantages were ex- 
tremely limited. In early life he began the 
business of lumbering and fanning, in both 
of which he achieved success. In 1860 his 
father deeded him the mill property and 
water-power, which he has since owned. In 



242 



BIOORAPIIWAL HISTORY OF 



all liis business operations lie has been uni- 
formly successful, and as a business man he 
stands without a superior in the county. Of 
his ability as a designer and builder, P>lack 
River Falls bears many evidences. As a 
citizen, his record upon every question of 
public interest is above reproach. The church 
has in him a liberal supporter, and the pub- 
lic school a warm friend. 

Mr. Spaulding was united in marriage at 
Platteville, Wisconsin, to Miss Margaret J. 
Campbell, a daughter of Alexander Camp- 
bell. Five children have been born of this 
union: Julia E., wife of C. D. Osborn, of 
Chicago; John D., Mary C, Jennie May and 
Sadie K. 

The parents are both faithful members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Spauld- 
ing in his political opinions sympathizes with 
the Republican party. 



JALTII ASAR BERG, a prominent farmer 
of Jackson County, was born in Spring- 
field Township, this county. May 6, 
1858, the son of Balthasar Berg, a native of 
Heidelberg, Germany, born March 13, 1828. 
He came to this country in 1849, locating in 
New York, whore he remained until 1852, 
when he moved to Waukesha, Wisconsin, 
and in 1853 came to Jackson County, same 
State, and located in Curran Township, where 
he died at the age of fifty-eight years. He 
was a blacksmith by trade. His father, Philip 
Berg, was born in Germany, where he spent 
his entire life. He was a veterinary surgeon 
by profession, and was a member of the Ger- 
man Catholic Church. Our subject's mother, 
Mary (Hummal) Berg, was born in Switzer- 
land, June 11, 1826, the daughter of Jacob 
and Elizabeth (Lau) Hummal, both natives 
of Switzerland. The mother died in that 



country at the age of forty-two years, and 
after her death the father came to this coun- 
try, locating in Cleveland, Ohio, where he 
died at the age of fifty years. He was a 
tailor by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Berg 
had two children: Philip and Balthasar. 

Our subject was reared on a farm in Jack- 
son County, and completed his education in 
the high school of Black River Falls, Wis- 
consin. He is now giving his entire atten- 
tion to farming, being the owner of 340 
acres of land, most of which is in section 26, 
Curran Township, where he now lives. In 
addition to this he is engaged in the stock 
business. Politically he is a Democrat. He 
was married March 17, 1886, to Sarah J. 
Duxbury, who was born in Hixton, June 25, 
1867, the daughter of John and Mary (May- 
raon) Duxbury, natives of England. The 
parents came to this country about 1850, 
locating in the State of New Jersey. About 
the year 1853 they came to Jackson County, 
Wisconsin, and located in Hixton Townshij), 
where they now live. The father is a farmer 
by occupation, and politically a Republican. 
Mr. and Mrs. Berg have had three children, 
viz.: William A., born January 26, 1887; 
the next died in infancy; and Myrtle M., 
born July 29, 1890. 



EORGE W. PUllNELL, hardware mer- 
chant, Merrillon, Wisconsin, was born 
in Mankato, Blue Earth County, Min- 
nesota, April 14, 1859. His parents, Edmund 
and Ann Purnell, natives of England, came to 
America, with a family of two children, in 
1861, and located in Connecticut. From 
there, in 1854, they came to Portage, Wis- 
consin, where they remained two years. The 
father was brought up to the hardware busi- 
ness in England and followed the same when 



CLARK AND JACKSoy COUNTIES 



^243 



lie came to tliis country. For nine years lie 
was in Imsiness in Mankato, tu which place 
he moved from Portage. lie was a success- 
fill business man and established a large 
trade. He was a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, and was religious from his youth up, 
giving of his means for the snpj)ort of the 
church and for the advancement of other 
beiievdlent entei'prises. He was in limited 
circumstances when he came to the United 
States, but by industry and perseverance he 
accumulated a nice fortune before he died. 
His death occurred in Jackson County, Wis- 
consin, July 14, 1886. It should be further 
stated that previous to his coming to Jackson 
County he removed from Mankato to Colum- 
bus, where he resided until 1877, engaged in 
the same business. 

George W. received his education in the 
])ulilic schools of (Jolumbus, and was in the 
store with his father, thus learning the busi- 
ness thoroughly. Upon his father's death he 
became his successor in the business. He 
was married, October 18, 1881, to Ida Mer- 
rill, daugliterof B. H. Merrill. She received 
her education in Jackson County. Three 
children have been born to them, Charles, 

Lalah and . Mr. Purnell isamember 

of the Masonic order, and in his political 
views is independent. 



|ILAS T. STEPHENS, of section 8, 
Mayville Township, was born in Scho- 
harie County, New York, March 8, 
1831, the son of Perry C. (deceased) and 
Betsey (Nicholas) Stephens, both natives of 
New York. The father was a soldier in the 
war of 1812, uniier Captain Uominie, and 
was at the battle of PlattsburiT, New York. 
The parents had ten children, seven of whom 
survive: Betsey A., Mercy, Silas, Plnebe, 



Lydia, Louis and Martha. Their two eldest 
were burned to death when their house was 
destroyed by tire, and the other, a grown 
daughter, died after marriaore, leavintr a fam- 
ily of four children. 

Silas T., our subject, was reared to farm 
life, and educated in the common schools. 
In 1852 he came to Wisconsin, settling in 
the woods in Fond du Lac County, where he 
was surrounded by wild animals and Indians, 
and where he also cleared a farm. He was a 
soldier in the late war, in Company II, Thirty- 
second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and 
served nearly three years, participating in 
the battles of Salt Hatch's Swamp, siege of 
Atlanta, North Edisto River, Beutonville and 
others. After the war Mr. Stephens returned 
to Fond du Lae, where he worked in a tlour- 
ing-mill three years, and then engaged in 
farming in that county until 1873. In that 
year he came to this county, bringing his 
family all the way in an ox wagon. He 
homesteaded IGO acres, his pi-esent farm, then 
in a heav^y woods, his nearest neighbors 
being two miles distant, and the nearest post- 
othce was Coll)y, ten miles distant. At that 
time there were no roads, and he carried his 
flour and groceries on his back. He no%v 
owns 120 acres, twenty-two of which is 
cleared. The tirst five or six years here he 
worked in the woods in the winters, and 
during the summer cleared and worked on 
his farm. 

Mr. Stephens was married July 31, 1853, 
to Melissa Timmerraan, a daughter of Ben- 
janiin and Lany (Scott) Tim merman, both 
deceased. The ])ai'ent8 had eleven children, 
live now living, namely: Alfred, Diantha, 
Amelia, Chaucey and Melissa. The mother 
had two children by a former marriage, only 
one of whom still survives — Henry Barnott. 
Mr. and Mrs. Stephens have had five chil- 
dren, four now living: Emma J., Josephine, 



244 



BIOORAPIIICAL U I STORY OF 



William S. and Ella M. One daugliter, Lydia 
M., died when six years of age. Mr. Ste- 
phens has served several years as a clerk of 
the School Board. Socially he is a member of 
the G. A. E. post, and politically a Repub- 
lican. 



.^t^ 



tllARLES PARTRIDGE, a real-estate 
dealer and Justice of the Peace of Ab- 
botsford, was born in Haldenian County, 
Canada, September 30, 1842, the son of Elias 
and Eliza (Gilmore) Partridge, the former a 
native of Norwich, Vermont, and the latter 
of Erie, Pennsylvania. The mother had two 
children: Delilah, now Mrs. H. J. Ince, of 
Haldeman County, Canada, and Charles. The 
eldest was a child by a former husband, John 
Nellis. The mother died March 25, 1875, 
and the father now lives with Mr. Partridge, 
our subject. Charles spent the first five or 
six years of his life in Yonngstown, Niagara 
County, New York, and then removed to 
Canada, where he remained twelve or thir- 
teen years. Next he went to Sanilac County, 
Michigan, where he engaged in manufac- 
turing staves for the New York market, and 
in the summer of 1880 came to Green Bay, 
Wisconsin, and in November of the same 
year located where Abbotsford now stands. 
There were then but three buildings here, 
the first of which was built by John Kaleb, 
and was used as a residence and saloon. The 
next was an eating-house and railroad station, 
erected by the Wisconsin Central Railroad 
Company; the first store was established by 
Cook & Whitcomb in 1879, and the L'rst and 
only blacksmith shop was built in 1887 by 
L. M. Chapman. There was another one 
built, but it was removed to Dorchester. The 
first hotel was built in 1880 by Malcome 
Livingstone. The present j)oj)ulation of the 



city is 300. Mr. Partridge helped clear off 
a part of the village site, and also, in part- 
nership with S. A. Cook, took the contract 
for clearing off the grounds for the Wiscon- 
sin Central Railroad Company between this 
place and Cadott. He has been engaged in 
lumber to some extent, but is i.ow the lead- 
ing real-estate and transfer agent for this 
jjart of the county. He also pays especial 
attention to collections. He has filled the 
offices of Justice of the Peace and Postuias- 
ter, and also took the census for 1890 for 
Mayville and Hoard Townships. 

Mr. Partridge was married January 16, 
1880, to Clara A. Root, a daughter of Elihu 
Root, deceased. She was born in Monroe, 
Michigan, March 4, 1847. They have one 
child, born April 23, 1881. 



... Il l — o ;n; . ^ i . «.. 

7^E0RGE M. BREAKEY, a prominent 
Hfe husiness man of Alma Centre, Wis- 
^W^ consin, was born in Sullivan County, 
New York, August 23, 1860. His parents, 
J. A. and Mary Breakey, are natives of New 
York and Ireland respectively. They had 
five children, the subject of our sketch being 
the oldest. He remained at home until he 
was twenty-one years old. At that time he 
went to Janesville, Wisconsin, to learu teleg- 
raphy, which profession he followed for two 
months in Chicago, Illinois, in the employ of 
the Metropolitan Telegraph Company. He 
then secured a position with the G. B. W. & 
St. P. Railway Company as telegraph opera- 
tor and station agent at Shiocton, Wiscoiifin. 
After being there nine months he was pro- 
moted to a better station at Alma Centre, 
Wisconsin, in the same capacity and for the 
same company, receiving better wages at this 
office than in his former position. He was 
thus engaged for five years. 



CLARK ANV JACKSON COUNTIES 



2-15 



At the age of twentytuiir years, wliile 
station agent here, lie was married March 28, 
1884, to Lottie E. Terljoss, a native of" Great 
Bend, Pennsylvania. Her parents came to 
tiie United States tVuni England, and her 
father, a stone-mason and brick-layer by 
trade, now lives in Pennsylvania. Mr. 
IJreakey was appointed I'ostmaster at Alma 
Centre in May, 1886, under President Cleve- 
land's administration, and tilled that position 
until Harrison was elected. He also engawd 
in the general merchandise business, which 
he still continues. By fair and lionest deal- 
ings he has established a good trade and is 
doing a prosperous business. At the annual 
meeting of the Alma Centre Creamery Asso- 
ciation, March 7, 1891, Mr. Breakey was 
chosen secretary of the association for the 
ensuing year. Ho has always endeavored to 
improve his town by erecting buildings, aid- 
ing in the building of churches, etc., and 
laboring hard for the building up of the local 
market for farm products for the last five 
years. 

Our subject is an active member of the 
I. O. O. F., Alma Centre Lodge, No. 294, 
and also of the Modern Woodmen of America. 
Ho and his wife are members of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church, and are associated with 
the Dauffhters of Rebekah. 



Hry?KjILES LAMB, deceased, was l)orn in 
( )nondaga County, New York, in 
1830, the son of Mr. Linda Ferry, a 
native of the same county, who is now living 
at La Crosse, Wisconsin, at the age of eighty- 
six years. He is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Our subject, one in a 
family of five children, was reared and edu- 
cated in his Tiative county, and in early life 
engaged in the mercantile business until 




1870. At this time his health began to fail, 
and he sold out and came to Jackson County, 
Wisconsin, locating in Melrose, where he 
followed farming until his death, which oc- 
curred in 1888, at the age of fifty-eight years. 
He was a prominent man, and held several 
minor offices. He had a good education, and 
was a man of good business qualities. Polit- 
ically he was a Republican, and religiously 
a ineml)er of the Baptist Church. 

Mr. Lamb was married, April 6, 1858, to 
Susan R. Turner, who was born in Wayne 
County, New York, August 18, 1834, the 
daughter of James and Sallie Turner, also 
natives of New York. They both died at an 
advanced age. Mr. and Mrs. Lamb were the 
parents of si.\ childi-en, viz.: Minnie M., Inez 
L.,Maud L, Mary E., Alice A. and George N., 
all of whom are living except Maud, who 
died when ten and a half months old. Mrs. 
Lamb is now living in Melrose, where she 
owns a well improved farm of eighty acres, 
section 18, which she rents. 



►4m|- 



ILIZABETH HALL is the widow of 
Peter Hall, late of Garden Valley 
Township, Jackson County. She was 
born in County Cork, Ireland, November 12, 
1820. In 1840 she was married to James 
Manpan, by whom she had two children. 
They came to America in 1852 and located 
in Jackson County, Wisconsin, where Mr. 
Manpan died in 1856. He was a man highly 
esteemed by all who knew him. 

June 12, 1857, the subject of our sketch 
was united in marriage with Peter Hall, who 
was born in Scotland, January 1, 1816. In 
1833 he came to America with his father and 
located in Canada near the Niagara River. 
He subsequently came to Wisconsin and set- 
tled in Jackson County, where, in coimection 



24S 



BIOORAPUICAL U] STORY OF 



was reared on a farm in New York, assisting 
his father in the labors incident to agricnlt- 
nral life. After he came to Wisconsin he 
resided in Fond du Lac County until 1874, 
when he came to Clark County and located 
on the place where he now makes his liome. 
He owns 160 acres of good land, and has 
cleared about sixty and placed it under culti- 
vation, lie has devoted all his energies to 
this occupation, and has been an energetic, 
hard-working man. Through a flaw in the 
title to his land he has been obliged to pay 
for it twice; this injustice has been a great 
hindrance to his progress, but he has 
"weathered the gale," and is meeting with 
success in all liis business undertakings. 

In politics he affiliates with the Republi- 
can party, and is a stanch adherent to their 
principles. He has two children, Henry and 
Warren, both of whom are living. 



jLEXANDER A. CAMERON, a mill- 
wright of Dorchester, was born in 
Perthshire, Scotland, February 10, 
1849, the son of Duncan and Jennie (Mc- 
Gregor) Cameron, both natives of Scotland. 
They emigrated to Perth County, Upper 
Canada, in 1859, and thence to Portage 
County, Wisconsin, in 1865, settling upon a 
farm, where they still reside. Alexander A., 
their only child, was reared to farm life aTid 
educate(l in the common schools. He learned 
the machinist's trade in East Saginaw, Michi- 
gan, at which he worked from 1863 to 1865, 
and in the latter year removed to Portage 
County, where he was employed at various 
points from Aehland to Stevens' Point. He 
built several saw and planing mills on the 
Wisconsin Central Railroad line, and is now 
building a pianing-mill at Fairfield. He 



came to Dorciiester in July, 1879, where he 
has since remained. 

Mr. Cameron was married September 18, 
1878, to Eva Chamberlain, a native of Penn- 
sylvania, and daughter of Dwight Chamber- 
lain, deceased. They have had six children, 
four now living: Jennie, Lyle, Hazel and 
Ward. 



PSENRY WELSH, Sr., is an old and 
highly respected citizen of Clark County, 
Wisconsin, and the following space will 
be devoted to a short outline of his career. 
He was born in Prussia, March 2, 1840. His 
father, Daniel Welsh, also a native of Prus- 
sia, emigrated to the United States in 1847, 
and settled in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, 
when it was a wilderness, inhabited only by 
the Indians and wild animals. There onr 
subject was roared amid the privations and 
hardships of frontier life. He was early ac- 
customed to the lal)or incident to converting 
a dense forest into a fertile farm, and although 
his life has not been an easy one, it has brought 
the reward of industry and perseverance. It 
was in 1876 that he came to Clark County 
and purchased a farm on section 24, Green 
Grove Township. He has since lived in this 
vicinity, excepting four years spent in the 
mercantile business at Hemlock, Wisconsin. 
He is now a resident of the village of Colby, 
having i-etired from active labors. He is a 
man well informed on the leading topics of 
the day, and has excellent business qualifica- 
tions. 

When his adopted country was threatened 
with destruction, he responded to the call for 
men to come to her defense; he enlisted Au- 
gust 17, 1862, as a private in Company H, 
Twenty-sixth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, 
and served until October 14, 1863. He was 



CLARK AND JACKSON OOUNTIEH. 



349 



then lioiiorably discharged on account of dis- 
altility caused by a gun-shot wonnd received 
in the battle of Chanccllorsville, May 2, 
18G3. In acknowledtinient of the services 
rendered, lie is granted by tlie Government a 
pension of $17 per month. 

Mr. Welsh was united in marriage, No- 
vember 12, 18G3, to Miss Emma Sidell, a 
native of Sa.xony, Germany, born July 15, 
1843. This union has been blessed by the 
birth of nine children: Daniel P., Anna, 
Minnie, Henry, William, Lucy, Emma, Lena 
and Louis. Mrs. AVelsh died September 13, 
1886. Four years after. May 6, 1890, Mr. 
Welsh was again married, uniting with Mrs. 
Emma Penny, widow of the late O. W. 
Penny, and daughter of John Thistle, and a 
nativ* of Newfoundland. She had two 
children by her first marriage — Arthur and 
Lucy. 

Mr. Welsh, since his residence in Colby, 
which dates from August, 1887, has held 
many of the township offices, and has dis- 
charged the duties devolving upon him with 
great fidelity. He is a member of the L O. 
U. F. and of the G. A. It. post of Colby. 






fREDERICK J. SEIF, of section 2, Wes- 
ton Township, Clark County, was born 
in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, June 9, 1851, 
the son of Joseph and Christine (Siles) Soif; 
the former, a native of Kelpton, Germany, 
came to the United States about 1838; the 
latter was also a native of Germany. They 
were the parents of nine children, eight of 
whom still survive, viz.: Frank J., Otto, 
Joseph, Frederick, Sop)hia, Pauline, August, 
(Miristine and John. 

The subject of this sketch was roared to 
farm life, and educated in the common schools 
of Dale, Wisconsin. He came to this county 



in 1875, settling first in the town of Sherwood 
I'^orest, and then came to his present farm of 
eighty acres, lifty-two of which is cleared. 
Here he is successfully engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising. He was married 
July 5, 1875, to Mary Weisner, of Pine Val- 
ley, this county, and they have seven children, 
— Frank, William, John, David, Charles, 
Frederick and Louis. Mr. Self was a mem- 
ber of the Town I>oard in Sherwood three 
years, and chairman of the same two years. 
He was also School Clerk in Sherwood Forest 
Township two years, and is now serving his 
fourth year as a Director in the School IJoard 
liere. Was also member of the Town Board 
two years, one year of which he was chair- 
man. Religiously, he is a member of the 
Lutheran Church, and politically a Democrat. 
He is a very promient and enterprising citi- 



■-r^f*|*» 




j^ARCUS CLARK, an industrious and 
successful agriculturist of Manchester 
Township, will be given the following 
space in this record of the leading men of the 
county. He was born in Caledonia, Living- 
ston County, New York, August 20, 1828, 
and is a son of Calvin and Mary (Ulake) 
Clark. The father was born in Vermont, and 
spent the most of his life in farming in New 
York and Canada; he died in Canada about 
the year 1838; his wife was also born in 
Vermont, and died in the Dominion of 
Canada about 1837; she was a consistent 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

The family consisted of eight children: 

Charles, Arvilla, Joseph, Marcus, Walter, 
Hannah, Amanda and David. 

When Mr. Clark was a lad of ten years he 
was left an orphan, and was thrown out in 
the world to do for himself; his parents had 



250 



BIOGRArillCAL Ul STORY OF 



removed to Canada when he was six years of 
age, and he remained there until 1850, when 
he came to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and secured 
employment with a stage line company; he 
was shifted from place to place until 1857, 
when he hought his present farm; he lirst 
entered eighty acres, and has since added 
another eighty, all of which is under cultiva- 
tion; he has the best improvements in the 
township, consisting of a substantial residence, 
and large convenient barns for the storing 
of grain and the protection of live-stock. 
In considering the fact that all this property 
has been accumulated through his own per- 
sonal efibrts, Mr. Clark is entitled to no lit- 
tle praise for the " grit" he has shown. 

In 1864, when there came a call tor ad- 
ditional men to go to the aid of the Union, 
he enlisted as a member of Company C, First 
Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry, and served 
until the declaration of peace; he was mus- 
tered out of the service and discharged at 
Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, August 19, 
1865. lie participated in the battles at 
Selma, Alabama, West Point, Georgia, and 
Columbus, Georgia, and was in many minor 
engagements. Politically he is identified 
with the Republican party; he has lield some 
of the township offices, and is a leader in his 
party. He was Superintendent of the County 
Poor Farm from 1880 until 1885, making a 
faithful and efficient officer. 

Mr. Clark was married December 19, 1858, 
to Miss Caroline Syverson, of Black River 
Falls, Wisconsin. She was born among the 
pine-clad hills of Norway, March 27, 1837. 
Eiffht children have been born of this union: 
Edward, Minnie, Delia, Francis T., Arvilla, 
Effie, Nellie, Mary and Lucy. Francis T. 
and Lucy are deceased. Edward married 
Miss Ida Perry, and they have two children: 
Roos and Bessie M. Delia is the wife of 
Garret W. (^uackenbush, and is the mother 



of three children: Roy, Mark, and an infant 
unnamed. Miss Minnie Clark is a milliner 
and dressmaker at New Lisbon, Wisconsin, 
and is a successful business woman. 




ILLIAM H. II. GLIDDEN has been 
identilied with the agricultural inter- 
ests of Clark County. Wisconsin, 
since 1866. He was born at Crown Point, 
New York, May 12, 1840, and is a son of 
Achel C. and Lucy (Sever) Glidden. Achel 
C. Glidden was born at Whiting, Vermont, 
and there grew to maturity; he removed with 
his parents to Essex County, New York, and 
there met and married his wife. He was a 
farmer all his life; the land he first bought in 
Essex County still belongs to members of the 
family. In early days he was a Whig, and 
afterward a staunch supporter of Republican 
principles; he was a believer in religious or- 
ganizations, although he was not a member 
of any church. He died in the year 1870, at 
the age of sixty- three years. His wife was 
born in Essex County, and died at the age of 
sixty-six years in 1878. Her parents were 
Parley and Pollie Sever, natives of the State 
of New York. 

William H. H. Glidden is one of a family 
of twelve children: Sophronia S., Mariett, 
Achel C, Parley S., Loretta, William II. H., 
Stephen T., Myron S., Joseph, Josiah, Al- 
phonso and Jennie. 

He is the sixth of the family, and was 
reared in Essex County; he attended the 
common schools of that day, and remained at 
home, giving his father the benefit of his 
labor until he was eighteen years of age. 
When he first started out for himself he went 
to St. Lawrence County, New York, and 
worked on a farm by the month; he continued 
in this place until he decided to go West, 



CLAJiK AND JACKSON GOUNT/BS. 



251 



wliere his o|i]K)rtiinities of securing a homo 
would surely be greater than in the more 
crowded East. Accordintrly he came to Wis- 
consin in 18G6, as I)et'ore stated. He pur- 
chased eighty acres of forest land, and has 
given his time and efforts to the clearing of 
this farm ; he now has twenty-five acres under 
cultivation, and it is well improved with sub- 
stantial buildino's. Considerinij that Mr. 
Glidden's capital consisted of willing hands 
and a brave heart, the only reliable capital 
after all, he is to be congratulated upon the 
success with which his efforts have been 
crowned. Politically he is allied with the 
Republican party, and has been called to till 
many of the township offices. He is a mem- 
ber of the A. O. U. W., lodge No. 32, Neills- 
ville. 

September 5, 18G1, Mr. Glidden was uni- 
ted in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Bresee, who 
was born in Stockhohn, St. Lawrence County, 
New York, June 11, 1843. Iler parents, 
Calvin B. and Sarah J. (Sever) Bresee, were 
natives of New York, and there passed all 
their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Glidden have had 
born to them three children: Eva J., Willie 
A. and Myrtle L. 



• S >* S ' | "">»- 



iETEK I. IIAKMEB, a successful farmer 
■ of Jackson County, was born near I^on- 
■^ don, England, in November, 1841, the 
son of William Ifarmei', a native of the same 
place. The hitter came to this country in 
1841, settling in Fond du Lac County, Wis- 
consin, where he died at the age of ninety 
years. In England he followed the occuj)a- 
tion of thatcher, but in this country en- 
g.iged in farming. Our subject's motlicr, 
Hannah (Mitchell) Ilanner, was born in 
England, and died at an advanced age in Fond 
(1m Lac County, Wisconsin. The parents had 



twelve children, five of whom are now living, 
— Charles, Harriet, Sarah, Edmond S. and 
Peter I. 

The subject of this sketch, the youngest 
child, was reared and educated in t^ond du 
Lac County on a farm. In 1863 he enlisted 
in the late war, in Company B., Fourth Wis- 
consin Cavalry, and was afterward transferred 
to Company F, and later to Company L. He 
participated in the battle of Mobile, and was 
in many minor engagements. He was hon- 
orably discharged in May, 18G5. Alter the 
war Mr. Harmer remained on the farm witli 
his father until 1867, when he came to Al- 
bion Township, Jackson County, Wisconsin, 
and bought 120 acres of land on section 38, 
where he now lives and carries on ireneral 
farming and stock-raising. Politically he is 
a Republican, and is now a member of the 
School Board. He was married in 1867, to 
Alniira Dewey, widow of Reuben S. Dewey, 
and they had eight cliililren, four of whom 
survive, — Nettie May, Emery 1!., (iertrude 
E. and Willie li. 



HAULES FREMONT CARLETON, a 

K farmer and stock-raiser of section 1, 
Warner Township, Clark County, was 
born in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, 
March 81, 1857, the son of Thomas V. and 
Aurilla (Burgess) Carleton, both natives of 
Maine. The father, now of Neillsville, came 
to this State soon after the Mexican war, 
having participated in that struggle under 
Generals Taylor and Scott. He was in the 
battles of Santa Ana, Monterey, Vera Cruz, 
Cerro Gordo and others. He was a niiller 
1)V trade, and also followed farmintr several 
years, but is now retired. In 186!) the fam- 
ily removed to Algona, Iowa, where the father 
ran a grist-mill and the sons farmed until the 



252 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF 



fall of 1871, when tliey returned to Wisconsin 
and settled in Neillsville. The parents had 
live children: Ellen, now Mrs. Moody; 
Henrj; Charles, our subject; Clinton, and 
Nettie, now Mrs. Whitman. 

Charles F. received his education in the 
common schools, and first commenced work 
as freight agent at Ilattield, Wisconsin, 
which occupation he continued one year; 
then sj^ent two or three years with his father 
in the flouring mill, but has since been en- 
fjao-ed principally in farming. He spent two 
winters logging in the pineries, after which, 
in July, 1888, he came to his present farm 
of eighty acres in section 6, Beaver Town- 
ship, and forty acres in section 6, Warner 
Township. He is now working on the farm 
of George L. Lloyd. 

Mr. Carleton was married December 15, 
1880, to Emily, daughter of John Owens, of 
York Township, this county. They have 
had three children, two of whom are now 
living: Ethel B. and Thomas V. Socially 
Mr. Carleton is a member of the A. O. U. 
W., and politically a Republican. 

Ml >iS ' l i i ; . .t-^-x" 



(EORGE E. MAYNARU, of section 20, 
Ilixton Township, Clark County, was 
born in Brandon, Rutland County, 
Verninnt, January 25, 1841, the son of John 
and Persis (Murray) Maynard, the former a 
native of Ticonderoga, New York, and tlie 
latter of Sudbury, Vermont. The father, a 
son of Abner Maynard, a soldier in the war 
of 1812, was a descendant on the maternal 
side of the noted Ethan Allen, of Revolu- 
tionary fame. The parents had three chil- 
dren: George E., J. Edgar and Warren M. 
Edcar now lives in Kingston, Green Lake 
County, and Warren works on the railroad and 
has no regular home. George E. came with 



liis parents to Green Lake County, Wisconsin, 
in 1855, settling on a farm in Kingston, 
Green Lake County, where he lived until 
1861. He then enlisted in Company A, 
Second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and 
served until August 21, 1861, having been 
wounded at the lirst battle of Bull Run. 
He re-enlisted in the fall of 1862, in Com- 
pany B, First United States Sharp Siiooters, 
Colonel Berdan's Regiment, and was dis- 
charged in May, 1863, by order of General 
Hooker, on account of disability. He as- 
sisted in rescuing Bui-nside's Artillery from 
the mud on the Rappahannock river, and 
was in the battles of Fredericksburg and 
many others. He again re-enlisted, in Au- 
gust, 1864, in Company H, First Wisconsin 
Cavalry, and served until the close of the 
war, participating in the battles of Franklin, 
Pulaski, Nashville, and in many raids and 
skirmishes. 

After the war Mr. Maynard went to Mar- 
quette County, Wisconsin, where he followed 
farming three years. In 1868 he went to 
Osage County, Kansas, settling in Burliug- 
game, where he worked in the coal mines, 
but in 1872 returned to Wisconsin, and 
worked in the woods one season. In 1873 
he came to this county and settled in Green- 
wood, where he lived until 1879, and in that 
year lie settled on his present farm. He 
first honiesteaded forty acres, built a log 
house 18 X 24 feet, and in 1880 the floods 
drove the family out of the house. He then 
bought sixty acres more on higher ground, 
built a frame house 18x24 feet, one and a 
half stories high, with an L 16 x 24 feet, one 
story, and he now owns 100 acres, thirty-live 
of which is cleared. 

Mr. Maynard was married in May, 1863, 
to Adalino E. Marshall, a daughter of Thomas 
(deceased) and Pliojbe (Worth) Marshall. 
Mr. and Mrs. Maynard have six children, 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



253 



namely: Frank E., Charles E., I'licBbe P., 
Jolin T., Warren M. and George O. Mr- 
Majnard has been Justice of the Peace, 
Health Comniissioncr and School Clerk. 
Both lie and his wife are members of the 
Baptist Ciuircli, and the former is a Repub- 
licn politically. 



EN RT MEIER, of sections 33 to 27, War- 
ner Township, Clark Connty, was liorn 
in Selbeck, Lippe-Detmold, Prussia, 
May 12, 1848, the son of Ernest (deceased) 
and Mina (Machintanz) Meier, both natives of 
Germany; the latter died when Henry was 
seventeen years of age. They were the par- 
ents of ten children, six of whom still sur- 
vive: Mina, Dorothy, Christopher, Ernest, 
Henry and Louise. 

Mr. Meier, our subject, came to the United 
States in 1875, having liad to borrow $130 
to make the trip, and first stopped in She- 
boygan County, Wisconsin, where he worked 
four years on a farm. During this time he 
paid off his debt, and also supported a wife 
and two small children. In 187'J he came to 
this county, locating in Warner Township, 
where he left his family in a sheep house 
while he worked in the woods for Fred Bu- 
ker. Since coming to this connty he has 
worked in the pineries eight winters, and 
during that time worked on the farms in the 
summer. In 1880 he settled on his present 
place of eighty acres, thirty-tive of which is 
cleared. Mr. Meier was in the German 
army from 1868 to 1871, and during tliat 
time was in the French revolution from 1870 
to 1871. lie was in the battles of Woerth, 
Vionville, Gravelotte, Beaumont, Sedan, 
Strasburg, Metz, Amiens, Orleans, Le Mans, 
Montheliard, St. Quentin, Paris and Pon- 
tarlier. 



He was married August 14, 1872, to Amelia 
Eichmeier, who was born in Brake, Lij)pe- 
Detmold, Prussia, March 8, 1846, the 
daughter of Frederich Eichmeier, deceased. 
Of their eight children, five are still living: 
Henry A. F., August II., Frederich W., 
Lydia E. and Ernest O. All of the children 
are at home except Fred, who lives with the 
minister at Immanuel Church, this connty. 
Religiously Mr. Meier is a meml)er of the 
German Reformed Churcii, and politically a 
Democrat. 



EORGE BURKE, Justice of the Peace, 
Town Clerk, and proprietor of the 
Douglas House, of Thorp, Clark County, 
was born in Green Lake Connty, Wisconsin, 
October 16, 1854, the son of John and Ellen 
(McCarty) Burke, the former a native of 
County Cork, Ireland, and the latter of 
Kingston, Canada. The father came to the 
United States when a young man, and to 
Wisconsin about 1840. The parents had 
seven children, si.x of whom survive, namely: 
George, our subject; Mary, now Mrs. Mur- 
phy; Lizzie, Mrs. Roth; Ella, Mrs. Po])pe; 
Lulu, Mrs. Snyder; and Pearl, who is un- 
married. One son, Edmund, was killed on 
the railroad March 21, 1888, at the ao-e of 
thirty-two years. 

George, the subject of this sketch, was 
reared to farm life and educated in the com- 
mon schools of his native county, whei-e he 
was also engaged in farming. In 1882 he came 
to Thorp, and the following fall began the 
hotel business, which he has since followed. 
He has been Town Clerk for the past tour 
years, also Justice of the Peace and Clerk of 
the School Board. In 1890 he was the 
Democratic nominee for County Clerk, and 
came within thirty-six votes of beino- elected, 



2r)4 



BWORAPHICAL HISTORT OF 



running several hundred ahead of his ticket. 
He was married November 21, 1888, to 
Altie Craig, who was born in Portage 
County, Wisconsin, December 25, 1869, tlie 
daugliter of George W. Craig, of Thorp. 
They have two children: Gertrude, born 
September 4, 1889, and John, September 18, 
1890. Mr. Bnrke owns his hotel building, 
and also a farm of eighty acres one and a 
half miles east of Thorp. 

(LIVER G. WINTER, a farmer of 
Manchester Township, Jackson County, 
is a man of high standing in the com- 
munity and unquestioned integrity of char- 
acter. He was born in Franklin County, 
Maine, February 28, 1821, and is a son of 
Eenjamin and Olive (Gray) Winter, natives 
of the State of Maine, where they passed all 
their lives. They were the parents of six 
children: John, P\innie, Oliver G., Elisha, 
Joseph and Harrison. Oliver G. was the 
third born child; he was reared in his native 
county to the occupation of a farmer, and re- 
ceived his education in the public schools. 
In 1857, when the tide of emigration was 
still tlowiug steadily to the West, he deter- 
mined to seek out a home in this new section 
of country, and accordingly set out on this 
mission ; he came to Jackson County, and for 
several years was engaged in the lumber 
business, operating a sawmill a portion of the 
time. In 1871 he purchased his present 
farm, which consists of 120 acres, most of 
which is under cultivation; there are neat 
comfortable buildings, and barns and sheds 
for the care and protection of the live-stock 
and the storing of grain; all the surround- 
ings give evidence of thrift and wise manage- 
ment. 

Mr. Winter is a stanch Republican, and 



enjoys the distinction of having been a dele- 
gate to the convention that organized the 
Republican party. August 12, 1854, the 
Democrats, Whigs, and a third party, had 
called conventions in the town of Strong, 
Franklin County, Maine; all were set for the 
same hour, and when they were convened 
each body appointed a man to consult witli 
each other, and see if some union could not 
be effected. They finally agreed to unite and 
organize a new party; a vote was taken on 
this which was unanimous. After this, the 
question arose: "What name shall be given 
the new party ?" John H. Willard, of the 
town of Wilton, arose and moved that it 
should be called the Republican party; this 
motion was seconded and carried without dis- 
sent. Mr. Winter was a delegate to the 
Democratic convention, up to that time being 
a strong adherent to the principles of that 
body. However, upon the organization of 
the new party he cast his lot with it, and has 
ever since been a stanch supporter of its 
movements. It is indeed a pleasure to record 
the history of a man wlio has had so promi- 
nent apart in the political history of tliis 
country, and one who is so worthy in every 
way of the honor. 

In 1860 Mr. Winter was elected by the 
Republicans of Jackson County as Clerk of 
the Circuit Court, serving one term with 
great credit to himself and the entire satis- 
faction of his constituency. Since that time 
he has held many of the local otKces, and 
there is perhaps no other farmer in the com- 
munity better posted on the leading issues 
of the day than is he. In church matters he 
fulfills his obligation to the utmost, being an 
active and consistent member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal society. 

April 21, 1845, is a day memorable in the 
history of our subject; he was then united in 
the holy bonds of marriage to Miss Mary L. 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



Perkins, of Weld, Franklin County, Maine. 
Mrs. Winter was horn in York County, 
Maine, December 22, 1823, and is a daughter 
of Jesse and Charlotte (Snowman) I'erkins, 
natives of the State of Maine and life-long 
residents tiiere. Mr. and Mrs. Winter had 
horn to them two children: Alice E!. and 
Fannie E. Alice E. was married, February 
14, 1891, to Calvin IJ. Metcalf. Fannie E. 
is married to Lewis McComlier, and they 
have one child — Oliver. Mrs. Winter passed 
from this life September 28, 1884, leaving a 
large circle of friends to mourn with her 
bereaved family. 



.. . .il'".''! I''." .'l.i. « o . 

?|AMON R. DAVIS is one of the early 
settlers of Clark County, having come 
to Wisconsin when this section of 
country was a dense forest, and there were 
no roads, and no travel; there was an abun- 
dance of wild game, and he became a skilled 
huntsman, and has laid low many a bear, 
wolf, and deer. The life of a pioneer is not 
without its charms, although the privations 
have sometimes overshadowed the delights. 
Mr. Da\'is was born at Crown Point, Essex 
County, New York, August 7, 1827, and is a 
son of Daniel R. and Maria (Glidden) Davis. 
The father was born in Vermont, and came 
to Essex County, New York, at an early day; 
in 1830 he removed to St. Lawrence County, 
New Y'ork, and settled in Stockholm, where 
he pas.sed the remainder of his days. He 
had a family of fourteen children all of whom 
lived to maturity: Damon R., our subject; 
Elizabeth, Fannie, Calvin, Theodore, Alma, 
Winston, Mary A., Bushrod, Huldah, Sidney, 
Asenath, Solon, and Subael. 

Mr. Davis is the eldest child, and was 
reared in St. Lawretice County, New York. 
In 1848 he went to Gi-eone County, Illinois, 



and spent four years in that and adjoining 
counties, working at whatever presented it- 
self; at the end of this tiuic he returned to 
New York, and remained there until 18G5, 
when he came to Clark County, Wisconsin, 
as before stated. He purchased 160 acres of 
forest land, and has since disposed of forty 
acres of it; he has given the most of his time 
and attention to agricultural pursuits, al- 
though he is master of the carpenter's trade. 
Politically he affiliates with the Republican 
party. 

Mr. Davis was married, March 5, 1848, to 
Miss Azuba Bryant, a native of Es.sex County, 
New York, and a daughter of Benjamin and 
Macelia Bryant; she died in Grundy County, 
Illinois, September 2, 1852, leaving two chil- 
dren: Hudson V. and Benjamin R. July 
15, 1855, Mr. Davis was again united in 
marriage, to Miss Polly Chase, who was born 
in St. Lawrence County, New York, August 
7, 1834. Her parents, John and Paulina 
(Whelpley) Chase, were natives of Massa- 
chusetts and Vermont respectively, and were 
early settlers of St. Lawrence County, Now 
York. 

Mr. and Mrs. Davis have had born to them 
live children: Damon \V., Azuba R., Daniel 
I., Harmon E., and Cornelia. 

|ATIIAN B. MANES, of section 3G, 
Weston Township, was born in Cai-n- 
ville, Somerset County, Maine, July 
24, 1847, the son of Robert L. (deceased), of 
English and Spanish ancestry. The hitter's 
father was a Methodist Episcopal minister. 
Our subject's mother, nee Mary Redmond, a 
native of (Jounty Wexford, Ireland, came 
with her parents to Quebec, Canada, when a 
girl, and after her nuirriage removed to 
Maine. Mr. and Mrs. Manes were the parents 



356 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF 



of tiine children, five of wiiom still survive, 
namely: John S.; Mary, now the wife of 
Peter Dercy, of Boston; Anna J., the wife of 
O. H. Clapp, of Denver, Colorado; Mina, 
now Mrs. Durlin McTaggert, of Pine Val- 
ley, this county; and Nathan B., our sub- 
ject. One son, William, lost his life in the 
service of his country, having served in 
Company D, Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry, 
three years, and died in 1868, at the age of 
twenty-six years. Robert was killed while 
working in a logging camp, by a log rolling 
against him, in 1869, at the age of nineteen 
years. John S. was also a soldier in the 
Fifth lowH Cavalry, serving three years. 
Nathan enlisted twice, but on account of his 
age was prevented by his family from going. 
David served in the First Wisconsin Battery. 
The father died March 13, 1886, and the 
mother June 30, same year. They emigrated 
to Wisconsin in 1856, settling in the village 
of Weston, now Pine Valley, two miles north 
of Neillsville. In 1856 they came to Black 
River Falls, where they liv^ed until May, 
1857, when they came to this county, and 
settled as above stated, and which was then 
known as Weston's Rapids. The Indians 
and wild animals were numerous, and our 
subject killed many deer, bear, partridges 
and other game, which constituted their meat 
for many years. 

Nathan Manes, our subject, settled on his 
present place in 1869, which was then covered 
with heavy timber. He has worked hard, 
following lumbering in the winters and im- 
proved the farm in the summer. He was 
elected Town Treasurer in 1863, chairman 
of the Town Board in 1865, and has served 
as School Clerk twelve years. The latter 
position he resigned in 1889, and took a trip 
to the Pacific coast, traveling through Cali- 
fornia, Oregon and Washington. He was 
engaged in the saw-mill business at Tenino, 



Thurston County, Washington, but was 
burned out, and afterward returned to this 
State. He has a fine frame house, built in 
1870, the main part being 18 x 25 feet, two 
stories high, with an addition 16 x 22, one 
story, and also a wing for kitchen and wood- 
shed, 16 X 24 feet. The entire building rests 
on a solid stone wall. Socially Mr. Manes is 
a member of the Modern Woodmen and K. 
of P. orders, and politically a Republican. 

He was married July 3, 1869, to Ella 
Tracey, daughter of William and Laura (Nel- 
son) Tracey, of this town. They had one 
child, who died in infancy. The mother died 
in September, 1872, and Mr. Manes was 
again married January 13, 1874, to Ella M. 
Bushnell, a daughter of Daniel S. (deceaseil) 
and Sarah A. (Brown) Bushnell. The latter 
lives in Columbia County, Wisconsin. Mr. 
and Mrs. Manes have four children: Mabel 
L , Birdie D., Guy B. and Katie, all at home. 



ENRY E. CURB AN, a prominent 
farmer of Jackson County, was born in 
Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Feb- 
ruary 2, 1842, the son of John Curran, who 
was also born in Pennsylvania, in 1810. 
The father i-emained in his native State until 
1847, when he came to Waukesha County, 
Wisconsin, and in 1856 to .lackson County, 
Ilixton Township, now called Curran. It 
was named after the Curran family, there 
having been four brothers who owned land 
in the township. The father died in this 
county at the age of seventy-four years. He 
was a prominent man in his time, and held a 
number of minor ofhees. Politically he was 
a Republican, and religiously a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he 
was also a local minister. He was a black- 
smith 1)v trade. Our subject's mother, Bet- 





--^^^^ 




CLAUK AND JACKSON COirNTlES. 



257 



sey (McKinney) Ciirraii, was born in Penn- 
sylvania in tlie year 180!), and died in Curran 
Townsliip at an advanced age. She was a 
member of tlio Methodist Episcopal Churcli, 
and i)otli slie and her Imsband were oF Irish 
extraction. The parents had seven children, 
Tiamely: Sarali A., Sanniel M., Robert R., 
Josepii II., John W., Henry E. and Mary, all 
of whom are now living but Sarah. 

Henry E., their si.xtli child, was roared and 
educated in Waukesha and Jackson counties, 
on a I'arin. In 185t^) he came witii his fatlier 
to Jrtck.soi) County, settlinij; in what is now 
Curran Township, where the former still 
lives and owns 150 acres in section 22 and 
35, making his lionie in the latter. He gives 
considerable attention to the stock business, 
^ai^ing good graded cattle and liorses in ad- 
dition to "general farmin;r. Politically he is 
a Republican. 

Mr. Curran was married January 29, 1872, 
to Lucinda A. Paddock, who was born in 
Dorset, l?ennington County, Vermont, April 
10, 1848, the dangliter of Anson C. and Lucy 
A. (Wyman) Paddock, both natives of Ver- 
mont. 

Mr. Curran is a farmer by occupation, and 
politically a Republican, and has held both 
county and town offices. The mother died in 
Augusta, Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, 
where the father now resides. Mr. and Mrs. 
Curran had four children: Nellie, John A., 
Robert B., and ono who die<l in infancy. 



PSON. JAMES O'NEILL, of NeiUsville, 
was born at Lisbon, St. Lawrence 
(bounty. New York, September 3, 1847. 
His father, a farmer, was born and still re- 
sides on the same farm on the banks of the 
St. Lawrence River, where James first saw 

the light. His father is of Irish and En.rlish 
18 " 



extraction, and his mother is of Scotch de- 
scent, l)ut was born in this country. Mr. 
O'Xeill receive! his education in the district 
schools; entered St. Lawrence University at 
Canton, New York, in 1863, and remained 
three years. He entered Cornell University 
at the opening of that institution in 18(38, as 
a st)phomore, graduating in the full classical 
course in 1871. At intervals in his college 
course he taught school, in all three years, 
commencing at fifteen years of age, at |!15 
per month, and closing as principal of the 
high school at Ogdensburg, New York, at 
$1,200. He studied law in the office of 
Joseph McNaughton, Esq.. at Ogdensburg, 
for one year, and graduated at the Albany 
Law School in 1873. 

In September, 1873, he removed to NeiUs- 
ville, Wisconsin, where he has ever since re- 
sided atid practiced his profession. He came 
here on the invitation of his uncle, Hon. 
James O'Neill, the founder of the town and 
a member of the Wisconsin Legislature in 
1840 and 1868. Mr. O'Neill was a member 
of the Legislature in 1885, a delegate to the 
Republican National Convention in 1888, 
appointed District Attorney of Clark County 
in July. 1887, and elected to the same office 
in 1888 by the largest majority of all re- 
ceived by the candidates on the ticket. He 
is president of the School Board at NeiUs- 
ville, and has always taken a great interest 
in school matters. At the last meeting, in 
Chicago, of the Northwestern Alumni Asso- 
ciation of Cornell University, he was elected 
preiident for the present year. He has 
steadily devoted his energies to the practice 
of his profession, the law. Cases argued by 
him may be found in nearly everyone of the 
last thirty-five volumes of the reports of the 
Wisconsin Supreme Court. In 1890 Mr. 
O'Neill received the nomination of the Re- 
publican party for Attorney-General of the 



BIOORAPHICAL BISTORT OP 



State of Wisconsin. Various causes com- 
bined to defeat the Republican candidates, 
and for tlie first time since the organization 
of the licpubliean party tiie entire Demo- 
cratic ticket was elected. Mr. O'Neill is an 
able lawyer, a public-spirited citizen, and a 
man of unqualified integrity, and is num- 
bered among the most popular citizens of his 
county and State. 

In 1876 he was united in marriage to Miss 
Marian Robinson, of Neillsville, and this 
union has been blessed with two children: a 
son, Ernest, born in 1877, and a daughter, 
Marian, born in 1883. In his political affili- 
ations he has ever been a stanch Republican. 



lETER F. LANTZ, of sections 27 and 
28, range 2 west, was born in Metz, 
near tlie Rhine, Germany, February 13, 
1883, the son of George P. Lantz, deceased, 
a native of the same place. He brought his 
family to the United States in 1838, settling 
in Detroit, Michigan, where he worked at 
the trade of stone-mason until his death, 
which occurred about twelve years ago. Our 
subiect was reared and educated in Detroit, 
and on reaching maturity engaged in farm 
work in the same county. He enlisted in 
the late war in Company D, Twenty-fourth 
Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and served ten 
months. He was in the battles of Fredricks- 
burg. Port Royal and Front Royal, and never 
received a wound, but was otherwise disabled 
by rheumatism and bronchitis, and now 
draws a pension. After the war he resumed 
farming several years, and also worked in 
Detroit some time. Mr. Lantz removed to 
this county in March, 1882, settling on his 
present farm, wiiere he owns eighty acres, 
twenty-five of which is cleared. Socially he 
is a member of the G. A. R. post, and politi- 



cally a Republican. Mrs. Lantz is a mem- 
ber of the Woman's Relief Corps. 

Mr. Lantz was married January 2, 1855, 
to Mary J. Sheldon, daughter of Frederick 
Sheldon, deceased, a native of Connecticut. 
Mrs. Lantz was born in Onondaga County, 
New York, April 1, 1833. They have had five 
sons, four of whom still survive: Perry A., 
George F., Walter A. and Bradley E. The 
deceased, John A., died when one year of 
age. Perry married Ellen Rogue, and lived 
in Newaygo County, Michigan, and has three 
children: Charles D., Claude E. and Maud 
P. (twins). George, who lives in Vancouver, 
Washington, married Ellen McCarty, and 
they have two children, Charles H. and Bes- 
sie L. Walter, a printer by occupation, 
married Florence L. Taylor, and lives at 23 
Whipple street, Chicago. 






EORGE W. RICHARD, a retired 
farmer and carpenter of Thorp, Clark 
County, was born in Mercer County, 
Pennsylvania, January 11, 1849, the son of 
James (deceased) and Annie (Hittle) Richard, 
both also natives of Pennsylvania. The 
parents had six children, of whom live still 
survive, viz.: Henry J., Sarah, George W., 
Mary and Malinda. The father died when 
George was a small boy, and the mother 
now lives in Mercer County. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on a 
farm, and received a limited education. He 
removed to Lenawee County, Michigan, in 
1868, and remained there and in Gratiot 
County, until the fall of 1871, when he 
went to Hubbleton, Wisconsin. In the 
spring of 1872 he came to Baraboo, Wiscon- 
sin, and the same fall to this county, stopping 
first in Withee Township, then called Ilixton, 
where he has worked in the pineries ever 



CLAHK AND JACKSON GOUNr[E;<f- 



259 



since, lie owns 120 acres of land, forty- 
seven (if wliich is cleared, and all is rented 
to tenants. He also owns a large store build- 
ing in Th(ir[), which is occupied by Horn & 
Ilolzhausen. 

Mr. Richard was married October 15, 
1882, to Artie Turner, a native of Fillmore 
County, Minnesota, and daughter of Alex- 
ander and Jane E. (Lawnuice) Turner, the 
former a native of Lewis County and the 
latter (if Jefferson County, New York. They 
were the parents of three children: Sylvester, 
Artie and William. Mr. and Mrs. Kichard 
also have three children: William, (Jeorge 
and Midinda. Mr. Richard was a member 
(if th(^ Town Board two years, and was 
brought up in the Lutheran Church. 



-' i^ ' S " S '^-^ 



jLE SAMULSON, of section 6, Thorp 
Township, Chirk County, was born in 
?>■ the parish of Fodalen, Central Norway, 
June 23, 1800, the son of Samuel Olson, a 
native of the same ]dace, who now resides 
with his son, Ole. The latter came to the 
United States in tlie fall of 1880, stoiiping 
first in Menomonie, Wisconsin, where he 
worked iti the saw-mills and pineries for 
seven months; in the spring of 1881 he 
went to Wilson, St. Croix County, and 
worked in the mills and woods until the fall 
of 1882; lie ne.xt went to Baldwin, same 
county, where he engaged as a clerk one 
yeai'; and in the fall ot 1884 came to this 
county and bought forty acres where he now 
lives. He has since added forty acres more, 
and has since cleared over half of the whole 
tract. lie began life a poor boy, but now 
owns a tine farm without tlebt, where he has 
made many improvements. lie is a mem- 
ber of tlie Town Board, and has also served 
as Clerk of the school district. Religiously 



he is a member of the Lntlieran Church, and 
politically a Kopulilicau. 



|LE E. MOON, of section 23, Thorp 
Township, was born in Gausthall, Nor- 
way, ['"ebrnary 14, 1848, the son of In- 
gabredt Bratidon, a native also of Norway. 
Ole E. was reared on a farm, and I'eceived 
his education in the conimdn schools of his 
native place. In 1873 he came to the United 
States, locating on his present farm of eighty 
acres, thirty-tive of wlii(di he has since cleared. 
During the winters he has been eniracred in 
the jnneries, driving logs in the springs, 
and farming and clearing land during the 
summers. 

He was married in Norway, December 2, 
1870, to Annie Peterson, a daughter of Peter 
Peterson, deceased. They have eight chil- 
dren, namely: Ebert, Peter, Albert, Oscar, 
Andrew, Mary, Otto and Emma; all at homo. 
Mr. Moon is a director of the School board, 
and was brought up in the Lutheran Ghurcii. 

^ANS F. ANDERSON, of section 31, 
Thorp Township, Clark County, was 
born in Central Norway, September 28, 
1860, the son of Andrew and Botsoy (Han- 
sen) Sinionson ; the foriniu- is deceased, and 
the latter now lives nt^ir our subject. The 
parents had nine children, six now living: 
Simon, Martin, Andrew, Mary, Marie and 
Hans; all of whom live in this county ex- 
cept Marie, who resides in Minneapolis. 
Our subject came to the United States in 
June, 18S1, and first stopped at Hixton, 
Jackson County, Wisconsin, where he worked 
on the railroad at Augusta. He next was 
engaged in the pineries three winters, anil in 



260 



BIOORAPIIICAL Ills TOUT OF 



the fall of 1883 came to this? county and 
bouglit eighty acres where he now lives. He 
worked two years in a saw-mill at Stanley, 
and since that time has been engaged in cut- 
ting wood, clearing his farm and making 
turnpikes. He has now thirty acres of his 
land cleared. Mr. Anderson has been Post- 
master two years; is a member of the Luth- 
eran Church, and politically is a Republican. 



IHRISTOPHERJENSEN, of section 29, 
Thorp Township, Clark County, was born 
in Denmark, December 15, 1849, the 
son of James H. and Carrie (Morteisdatler) 
Hansen, both deceased, and natives of Den- 
mark also. They had four children: Martin 
H., Christopher, Mary and Lizzie. Christo- 
pher came to the United States in 1873, 
stopping first in Wankesha County, Wis- 
consin, until 1875, when be removed to Sum- 
mit, Illinois. lie spent one year there, and 
one summer at Riverside, after which he re- 
turned to Denmark and remained until the 
fall of 1881. Next ho returned to Wiscon- 
sin, and in July, 1882, came to his present 
farm of eighty acres, forty of which is 
cleared. He has worked in the woods mostly 
during the winters, and in clearing his land 
and farming in the summers, but the last 
three years he has spent entirely on iiis farm. 
He has a good barn and residence, where he 
keeps a jolly bachelor's hall. 



— ►V^Mt-^-- 

fOHN P. MARSHALL, of section 3, 
Withee Township, Clark County, was 
born in Middlesex, Canada, twenty-five 
miles west of Now London, February 14, 
1845, the son of Timmas G. aiid Isabella 
(Carr) Marshall, both natives of County 



Armagh, Ireland. The latter caine to Can- 
ada in 1840, and in 1851 removed with his 
family to Port Huron, Michigan, where tiie 
raiither died in 1853. The father then re- 
turned to Canada, where he still resides. 
They were the parents of seven children, six 
of whom survive: William, John, Joseph, 
James, Mary A. and George. One son, 
Thomas, died in 1887, at the age of forty- 
one years. 

John P., our subject, was l)ut nine years 
of age when his father returned to Canada, 
since which time he has been thrown upon 
his own resources. He worked several win- 
ters in the pineries of Michigan, and also 
on a farm during the summers. In 1868 lie 
removed to Marshall County, Kentucky, and 
for two years was engaged in making white- 
oak staves in the Tennessee valley, after which 
he returned to Port Huron, Michigan. In 
the spring of 1871 he came to Clark County, 
stopping first in Greenwood with W. H. 
Begley, where he worked in the woods during 
the winters and in driving logs in summers. 
In the fall of 1872 he homesteaded 120 
acres two and a half miles southeast of Thorp, 
Withee Township, and there worked in the 
woods, drove logs, and also farmed for ten 
years, when he sold out. In the spring ot 
1882 he went to Hamlin County, Dakota, 
but returned in 1883, and settled on his 
present farm of eighty acres, twenty-three of 
which is cleared. 

Mr. Marshall was married December 25, 
1873, to Elsie A. Carpenter, who was born 
in Chemung Township, McHenry County, 
Illinois, February 14, 1855, the daughter of 
David Carpenter, deceased. She came with 
her parents to Black River Falls, Wisconsin, 
when in her third year, where she was reared 
and educated. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall have 
had six children, four of whom are now 
living, viz.: Diana, Bessie. Percy and Pearl. 



CLARK AM> JACK.SO.V COUNTIES. 



30 1 



Mr. Marshall has been a mcinher of the 
Town Hoanl of Ilixtoi) three years, and also 
two years in Withee. ['olitieally he is a 
lieiitiblicaii, havino; cast his first vote tor 
Grant in 1872. 



••^g-^»-»J->- 



a) 



|j..O)[I)WAUI) SMITH, proprietor of the 
^f^ Smith Hotel, and also a fanner of 
Longwood, was horn in Hull, England, 
October 5, 1830, the son of William Smith, 
(deceased), also a native of England. He 
l)rought his family to the United States in 
the spring of 18B1, settling in Albany, New 
York, where the father was eiiijacred in black- 
smithing until his death, which ocenrred in 
1838. Our subject's mother, formerly Eliza- 
betli Doyle, was a native of Ireland. The 
parents had four children, of whom three are 
still living, — Edward, William and Elizabeth. 
After the father's death, the mother renioved 
with her family to Troy, New York. 

The subject of this sketch came to Mani- 
towoc, Wisconsin, in 1844, wiiich was then 
a mere hamlet or village, where he first en- 
gaged in making shingles. He afterward 
sailed on the lakes for many years, making 
his home in Mauitowoe. He began as cabin 
boy, and rose to the position of first and 
second mate, and then of Captain. He was 
cajitain of thirteen different vessels, encoun- 
tered many storms and met with many acci- 
dents, havinij fallen overboard several times. 
He came to this county in 1879, settling at 
Christie, tlience to Greenwood in 1880, and 
to LoMjiwooil in 1881, where he is entraffed 

to ' _ o D 

in running a hotel and also in farming. He 
owna ten acres of land. Dr. Smith has 
cooked in logging camps every winter but 
this (1890^'i)l). 

He was married July 7, 1852, to Amanda 
M. liarnes, a daughter of Harry Barnes, of 



Antelope County, Nebraska; she was born in 
Rutland County, Vermont. They have eight 
children, viz.: William H., Harriet E., Nancy 
(deceased), Una I., Amy, Walter II., Edward 
H. and Mildred. William married Hattie 
CoUey, lives in Washington State, and has 
four children: Harriet married Charles 
Kayhart, of Christie, this county, and they 
have three children; Una married Christo- 
pher Musselman, of Washington ; Walter 
married Clara Moody, and live in Withee 
Station, Clark County; Amy is engaged in 
teachintr school in Washington. Una and 
Hattie were formerly teachers. Mr. Smith 
was brought up in the Ephscopal religion, 
but is now a member of no church. I'oliti- 
cally he is a Kepublican. 



K. WILLIAM BRYANT SELDEN, a 
physician and surgeon of Thorp, Wis- 
consin, was l)orn February 15, 1850, in 
Sussex, England, and is a great-grandson of 
Sir William Bryant of the above place, for 
whom he is named. He came with his par- 
ents to the United States when four years of 
age, settling in New York; three years later 
he moved to Wisconsin and settled on a farm, 
where he livotl until fifteen years of age, 
when he began the study of medicine with 
Drs. Teegardea & liickard, of LaPorte, Indi- 
ana, with whom he continued three years, 
attendintr the old Meeker College the three 
following years. After the e.xpiration of the 
college term he came to Wisconsin and 
practiced medicine with the firm of Drs. 
Si}>pie <te Hoover for two years, at which 
time the firm was broken by the death of Dr. 
Sippie. He then took up the study of homce- 
pathy with Dr. William Ilounaer for two 
years; then attendeil lectures at DesMoines, 
(Iowa) Homoepathic College, and next went 



3C3 



BWURAPUIGAL U IS WHY UF 



to CiiK-iiiiiati, Oliio, where he attended lec- 
tures and the clinic fur one year. Returning 
to Winona County, Alinnesota, he practiced 
medicine there six years. In 1881 he moved 
with his family to Thorp, Wisconsin, where 
he has since made his home, suffering all the 
hardships ol' a new country, which are many. 
In 1886, returning to Cincinnati, he attended 
lectures and the clinique of the College of 
riiysicians and Surgeons, and he came again 
to Thorp an<l resumed his old practice, which 
is quite extensive. The Doctor is well versed 
in medicine, and in manner is very quiet and 
retiring. Politically he is a Republican. 



f[AMES S. M(^NAB, deceased, was horn in 
! Glaiigow, Scotland, February 17, 1835, 
the son of Daniel and Helen (Finleyson) 
McNab, both also natives of Scotland, the 
former born in 1804 and the lattei' in 1809. 
The father came to this country and located 
in Irving, Jackson County, Wisconsin, where 
he died at the age of eighty-one years. He 
was a farmer by occupation. The parents 
had four children, — John, Alexander, James 
S. and Daniel, Jr. 

James S., our subject, was reared and edu- 
cated in the city of Glasgow. In 1856 he 
came to this country with his father and lo- 
cated in Jackson County, and a short time 
afterward went to Avon, Illinois, where he 
devoted the next three years to the study of 
medicine. From that time until 1861 he 
tiaveled in different parts of the country with 
a medicine man. In 1801 he returned to 
Jackson County, and October 10, 1861, he 
enlisted in the late war at Sparta, in Com- 
pany A, Third Wisconsin Cavalry, and for 
one year was in active service. He was dis- 
charged October 11, 1864, at Fort Leaven- 
worth, Kansas. Mr. McNab was a machinist 



by trade, and was a man of considerable edu- 
cation. He was married March 10, 1865, to 
Mary Lyle, who was horn in Harrison 
County, Ohio, April 1, 1843. the daughter 
of William and Jane (Lewis) Lyle, the for- 
mer a native of Ohio and the latter of Eng- 
land. The fatlier was a blacksmith by 
occupation. He died in Harrison County, 
Ohio, at an advanced age; the mother is 
still living, at the age of seventy-three years. 
Mr. and Mrs. McNab had two children, — 
John W., born January 22, 1866, and Alex- 
ander J., October 7, 1874. The father died 
October 15, 1886, and the mother, with the 
aid of her sons, manage their fine farm of 160 
acres, which lies in sections 13, 23 and 24, 
Irving Township. They carry on farming 
and stock-raising, and also own eighty acres 
in Manchester Township. 



ILLIS K. ARMITAGE, of section 13, 
range 2, Weston Township, Clark 
County, was born in Dodge County, 
Wisconsin, January 1, 1851, the son of Jo- 
seph and Mary (Sykes) Armitage, both na- 
tives of Lancanshire, England. The father 
came to the United States about 1842, and is 
now living in Waukesha County, Wisconsin. 
Of their eleven children, seven are still living, 
viz.: Thomas, Sykes, Joseph, Robert, Phtebe, 
Willis and Frances, all of whom are married. 
Our subject was reared on a farm and edu- 
cated in the common schools of his native 
county. He came to this county in the fall 
of 1882, settling on his present farm, which 
was then a dense woods. He cleared thirty 
acres, and afterward bought forty acres, fif- 
teen cleared, and now owns 160 acres in all. 
Mr. Armitage was married January 1, 
1874, to Susannah Timerson, a daughter of 
Jacob and Eliza (Millholland) Timerson, and 




CLAHK AND JACKSON CuUNTlES. 



263 



they liave tlin^e cliildreii, — Rosa IJelle (de- 
ceased), Willis, Josiali and Robert l]riice. 
Mr. Arriiitacre was a Tiieinber of the Town 
Hoard one year, and is now serving his second 
term as Town Treasurer. Mrs. Armitagc is 
a iiieniberof tiie Metiiodist Episcopal Church. 

^OltEUT MoCALVY, of section 25, 
Eaton Township, Clark County, was 
born in Ireland, August 2'J, 1827, the 
son of Patrick and Mary (fieed) McC/alvy. 
The parents crossed the ocean when our sub- 
ject was an infant, and settled at Cambridge, 
Massachusetts, and then in 1843 settled on 
Government land eight miles from Milwau- 
kee, Waukesha County, where the father died 
in 1887, at the age of eighty-five years. The 
jiarents had eight ciiiklren, all of whom are 
deceased but our subject and a sister, Mary 
Mead, of Auburn, Fond du Lac County, 
Wisconsin. The mother died in 184(5. Two 
brothers, Thomas and Albert J., were mem- 
bers of Company A, Seventh Wisconsin In 
faiitry; both were wounded at the battle of 
(nttysburg. Thomas died from his wound, 
and Albert recovered and was returned to liis 
command, and was killed in the battle of 
Petersburg. 

The subject of tliis sketch received his 
education principally by studying at home. 
Since his marriage he has been engaged 
moi-e or less at the carpenter's trade, but 
farming is his princi]»al industry. He was a 
soldier in the late war, in Company G, Four- 
teenth Wi-sconsin Volunteer Infantry, and 
j)articipated in the battles of Fort De Russy, 
Louisiana, I'leasant Hill Landing, Clontier- 
ville. Cane River, Marksville, Yellow l^ayou, 
Tupelo, Mississippi, Camargo Cross Roads, 
Old Town Creek, Augusta, Arkansas, Nasli- 
ville, Tehnes8(^e, Spanish Fort, Alabama, and 



Fort I^lakely. He never received a scratch, 
and was discharged as color guard. He 
endured many hardships, but remained to the 
close of the war. He kept a diary of events 
during his services. 

After the war he lived in Fond du Lac 
County until 1868, when he came to this 
county, settling on his present farm of 160 
acres, which was then covered with heavy 
timber, mostly hard-wot)d. He afterward 
cleared sufficient space to build a house and 
garden, where he was surrounded by Indians 
antl wild animals. The former would camp 
near him and kill game, and always brought 
venison to his family. There were but live 
houses between him and Ncillsville, a dis- 
tance of fourteen miles, and there was but 
one house in Greenwood, and one in Loyal. 
Mr. McCah'y and wife had six children when 
they first came to the county, where they 
lived in a log cabin with puncheon tloor and 
shake roof. He still owns the original 160 
acres, but has since cleared eighty acres, and 
now has tine barns and other improvements. 

He was married January 14, 1849, to 
Anna L. Rector, a daughter of John and 
Margaret (Shutter) Rector. Mrs. McCalvy 
was born in Albany, New York, March 4, 
1S25. They have six children, namely: 
Adelia E., Goorge E., Sopln-onia A., Mar- 
garet M., Thonnis J. and Albert M., all of 
whom are married and have children. Mr. 
McCalvy is a Repulilican politically, and a 
strong supporter of the " little school- 
house," and believes in standing i)y it. lie 
attended a reunion of his retjiment in Mil- 
waukee in August, 1889, and met many of 
his old comrades, and received a photograph 
of the assembled veterans on that occasion, 
and also a record of their names and ad- 
dresses, and an account of the proceedings. 
His regiment captureii a large cannon at 
Sliiloh, ant] the (icneral irave it to the refi- 



2C4 



UWaRAPUlGAL IllhTOllY OF 



ment. It is takrn to all tlie reunions, and is 
kept in Madison. Socially Mr. McCalvy is 
a nieniber of tiie G. A. R. Post, and also of 
the I. O. O. F. Mr. and Mrs. McCalvy are 
members of the Presbyterian Church. 



FRANKLIN PRATT, Clerk of Eaton 
Township, Greenwood, was born in 
l» Warren County, New York, tSeptem- 
ber 21, 1862, the son of Edwin T. Pratt, of 
Greenwood. The parents came to this county 
in January, 1885, locating at Christie. Our 
subject went to Madison, where he attended 
the Northwestern Business College two 
seasons, graduating at that institution July 
13, 1888. He then returned to his parents, 
tliey having removed to Greenwood dnring 
his absence, and has worked with his father 
mostly since that time. He was elected 
Town Clerk April 4, 1890. He also owns 
forty acres of land in York Township. Polit- 
ically he is ii.dependent, voting for the man 
rather than the party. When he first came 
to Wisconsin he entered into partnership 
with his father in farming, which continued 
tliree years, and during that time he also 
attended college during the winters of 1888- 
'89. He spent two winters in the pineries 
of Wisconsin, and is an enterprising and 
public-spirited young man. 

Edwin T. Pratt, the father of the above, 
and a grocer at Greenwood, was born in 
Warren County, New York, March 16, 1838, 
the son of Thomas Pratt (deceased), a native 
of the same State. The latter is a son of 
Jedediah Pratt, of English ancestry, who was 
a soldier in the war of 1812. Edwin Pratt 
received his education in the common schools 
of Bolton, in his native county, after which 
he was engaged in farming until January, 
1884, when he kept a store and also ran a 



livery. He then came to Weston Towiishi]!, 
this county, where he was engaged in farm- 
ing until 1888, in which year he came to 
Greenwood. He l)uilt a large store room, 
with a half above, and engaged in his present 
business, keeping tobacco, cigars, Hour, meal, 
etc., and has since added groceries. He was 
married, December 18, 1858, to Betsey Ann, 
daughter of Nathaniel Middleton (deceased^; 
she was born in Warrensburg, New York. 
Mr. and Mrs. Pratt had seven children, five 
of whom still survive, viz.: Charles H., 
George F., Anjanette, Hyland and Minnie. 
Charles was married to Jane Burdick, and 
lives in Greenwood, this county, and has two 
children: Pearl and Lura. Anjanette mar- 
ried Joseph Covey, of Christie, this county, 
and they have two children: Howard and 
Hattie. Mr. Pratt was Collector in Warren 
County, New York; also Constable six 3'ears in 
the same county and State; is Justice of the 
Peace in Weston Township, this county, and 
was Deputy Town Clerk of Eaton School 
District many years; and was also Director 
of the School Board at Christie one term. 
Religiously Mrs. Pratt is a member of the 
Methodist Church; and politically Mr. Pratt 
is a Democrat. 



■ ■'°^ "4 * S"S ' <^" -°' 

fOHN STEWART, real estate and insur- 
ance agent at Greenwood, was born in 
Glasgow, Scotland, Octobei- 2, 1844, the 
son of John Stewart (deceased), a native of 
the same country. Tiie latter was a foreman 
in a Bond and Free Warehouse at Glasgow 
many years. The subject of this sketch 
came to Peterboro County, Canada, in 1857; 
in 1864 went to Detroit, Michigan; and in 
1866 came to this county, where he was en- 
gaged in the logging camps sixteen years. 
lie also drove logs twenty seasons, and 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUJSriES. 



3G5 



fanned during the sutniner for eiirliteen 
yoars. lie tiow owns 1,400 acres of land, 
110 acres of wliicdi is cleared and is rented to 
tenants. 

Mr. Stewart was married, November 27, 
1870, to Clara McMalion, a daughter of John 
McMalion, of this city. They had ten chil- 
dren, oidy four of whom survive, viz.: John 
A., David, Bernice and Elizabeth. Mr. 
Stewart has been Chairman of the Town 
I'oard several years; has held the ofKce of 
Assessor two years; Treasurer one year; and 
a member of the School Eoard many years, 
lie is an enei-getic and public-spirited man, 
and takes a great interest in the growth and 
development of the county, both morally and 
educationally. He is a member of the 
I. (). O. F., and is an ardent supporter of 
the Kei)ul>licau party. Greenwood is an 
incorported city, and Mr. Stewart was elected 
its first Superviscir. 



fllOMAS li. BEGLEY, proprietor of 
the La IJelle House, Greenwood, was 
i^ born in Wolford Township, Province 
of Quebec, Canada, August 19, 18tj2, the 
son of William H., who eniitrrated from 
Canada to this county in 1869, settling in 
Greenwood. Here our subject has since re- 
mained, e.xcepting duriiig the years 1881-'82, 
when in Montana. While in that State he 
worked eight months in the placer mines at 
Helena, and also in the yards of the La Belle 
Lund)er County, at Butte four months. Re- 
turning to this State in October, 1882, Mr. 
Beglcy commenced lumbering, and was also 
engaged in driving logs. He engaged in his 
present business in August, 1890, and now 
has a first-class hotel. He is a member of 
the I. (). O. F., and on national questions a 
Kepublican. 



He was married, July 9, 1884, to Melissa 
Ueesman, a daughter of Bhilip lieesman, of 
Alma Center, Jackson County, Wisconsin. 
They have four children: Nina, Marion, 
(Jlella and Harold. The wife died April 13, 
1891, a member of the W. C. T. U., and after 
her death a memorial service was hold at 
which resoluti(.)ns were passed, and a copy of 
them was furnished to the bereaved family. 
The local press, in speaking of her death, 
says: "She started to attend the evening 
services at the Baptist Church, into the 
fellowship of which she was shortly to be 
baptized, but returned sick, before reaching 
there. Dr. Buland was at once called, but 
medicine seeme<l useless, and in spite of his 
hope and skill she died in the morning. Her 
husband, who was foreman on the drive for 
Colnian, was summoned at once, as was also 
her father's family, from Alma Center. All 
arrived in time for the last sad services and 
tributes of respect, which were held in the 
Methodist chapel. Rev. Petti ngill, the Bap- 
tist pastor, officiating. Though she died at 
the age of twenty-live, after a married life of 
but seven years, she leaves behind her as 
monuments of her love, her devotion and 
her virtues, four children. The world lives 
not by the greatness of its men but by the 
devotion and virtue of its mothers. Thou'rh 
her life was short and less eventful than 
many, yet the good fruit of it shall abide 
ever in the hearts of all who knew her." 

. ^- . ; .. ; . | .„.^- 

^ON. W. HARRISON MEAD, of sec- 
tion 3, Warner Township, Clark County, 
was born in Dutchess County, New 
York, November 19, 1833, the son of Van 
Renslear (deceased) and Margaret (Marshall) 
Mead, both natives of New York. Our sub- 
ject's grandfather, Moses Mead, was a soldier 



266 



DIOURAPUIOAL UISTOUY OF 



in the war of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Mead, 
had ten children, viz.: Egbert, Martha, Will- 
iam, Nathan, Van Reiislear, Moses, Caroline 
George and Daniel. The mother died about 
twenty years ao;o, and the father was again 
married, and by this union there were four 
children: Aaron, Arvilla, Lydia and Frank. 
The father died in December, 1881. 

The subi'ect of this sketch, the eldest child, 
spetit the first twelve years of his life on the 
ol'd homestead in his native county. In 
1845 the family emigrated to Jefferson 
County, Wisconsin, settling in Watertown 
Township, where Mr. Mead attended the 
public schools three months, and also worked 
on tiie farm in the summer. During the last 
year of tlie war he was in the United States 
Bervice, engaged in putting up telegraph lines 
in Western Virginia. In 1865 he came to 
this county and settled on his present farm of 
160 acres, which was then covered with heavy 
timber. There were only three farms opened 
between this place and Neillsville, and they 
were the George lluntzicker and Cummings 
farms. There was not a road or tnrnpike in 
the county at that time, and Neillsville con- 
tained but 200 people, one hotel and two 
stores. There was no settlement at Green- 
wood, and wild animals and Indians were 
numerous, the latter being of the Chippewa 
tribe. Some trappers stopped with the loggers 
where Mr. Mead was working, and caught 
over $1,000 worth of furs in about two 
months. A man named David Smith came 
into their camp in the winter of 18G6-'67, 
and in si.x weeks caught $600 worth of furs. 
Mr. Mead hunted about live years during the 
fall of the year, after coming to this county, 
and killed about forty deer each fall, and also 
killed a few bear and many wild-cats. Our 
subject owns 1,920 acres of land, mostly 
hard-wood timber land, of which 260 acres 
is cleared. 



He was married July 4, 1861, to Julia A. 
Smith, who was born in Herkimer County, 
New York, May 26, 1842, the daughter of 
Christopher (deceased) and Betsy (Pedricks) 
Smith; the latter now lives with Mr. Mead, 
at the age of eighty-two years. Mr. and 
Mrs. Mead have had seven children, six of 
whom are now living: Frank A., Clara, 
Helen, Harry, Angus and Fliilo. Clara 
married Allen Armstrong, of Greenwood, 
this county, and they have two children. 
Glen and Margery. Frank is an express 
messenger on the O. R. N. Railroad in Ore- 
gon. The remainder are at home. Mr. 
Mead lias been chairman of the Town Board 
here seven years, and is the present incum- 
bent, and during two years of this time he 
was chairman of the County Board. He is 
a member of the Masonic, 1. O. (). F. and 
the A. O. U. W. lodges. 

— ■^"' I ' S k S 'I'"-^ — 



fATRICK H. SHEEHAN, of section 
22, Clark County, was born in Peter- 
boro, Ontario, April 11, 1838, the son 
of Patrick Sheehan, a native of Ireland, who 
came with his parents to Canada West in the 
Robinson emigration. He died there August 
13, 1889, at the age of ninety-iive years; his 
mother lived to the age of 115 years! Our 
subject's parents had ten children, seven of 
whom are still living, namely: John, Bridget, 
Patrick, Mary, Catharine, Ellen and Johanna. 
Mr. Sheehan came to La Crosse, Wisconsin, 
in 1864, and at once began work in the 
woods in this county during the winter 
months, and was engaged in driving logs 
during the summer. He has been in logging 
camps thirty-seven winters, including the 
time in Canada, and has driven logs thirty- 
five summers. He came to Greenwood in 
the fall of 1874, where he lived until July 



ULAUK AND jAVKliON COUNTIES. 



2U7 



1884, wluin lie came to his present farm of 
200 acres, forty acres of which is cleared. 

Ml'. Sheelian was married September 16, 
1874, to Caroline Mead, a daughter of Van 
Kenslear Mead, and they have three children, 
two of whom are now livinjx — Francis liitha 
and Mary Edna. Mr. Sheehan has been As- 
sessor of his comity for the past two years, 
and has lifted the burden of taxes largely 
from tiie poor people, assessing the specula- 
tors as high as that of the poor man. He 
was a member of the Eaton Town Board for 
tiiree years while in Greenwood. Politic;illy 
he atiiliates with the Democratic party. 




i^lLLIAM II. BEGLEY, proprietor of 
the Begley House at Greenwood, was 
born near the city of Ottawa, Canada, 
May 1, 1837, the son of Thomas Begley (de- 
ci'asi'(l), a native of County Longford, Ire- 
land, who came to Canada in 1831. Our 
subject's mother, nee Catharine Thompson, 
also a native of Ireland, was the daughter of 
General John Thompson, an officer in the 
English army, who took his family with him 
for many years throughout the West Indies, 
etc. 

The subject of this sketch received his 
eilucation in tiie common schools of his na- 
tive place. In 1860 he came to Black River 
Ealls, Jackson County, Wisconsin, where he 
leinainetl a fi>w months, and then came to 
this county. Here he was engaged in running 
H hotel, and also kept a livery and feed stable, 
lie has also been engaged in lumbering until 
two years ago, except during the years 1876- 
'81, when he was engaged in mining in Moti- 
tana. He worked in the placer mines in 
Mitchell Gulch, near Helena, and also worked 
lor A. J. Davis in the (juartz mills at l!iitte. 
lu'turning to this State in the spring of 1881, 



he resumed his old vocation, and now owns a 
large barn, hotel, and does an extensive busi- 
ness. 

Mr. Begley was married November 29, 
1845, to Margaret Reynolds, a daughter of 
William and Margaret Reynolds, both de- 
ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Begley have three 
children: Thomas R., George B. and Eliza. 
Mr. Begley is a member of the 1. (). O. E. 
fraternity, and politically is a Republican. 



^LIAS PETERSON, one of the pioneers 
of Greenwood, was born in Trondhjem, 
Norway, March 27, 1833, the son of 
Refer Olson, a native of the same jilace. Our 
subject came to the United States in 1870. 
Having learned the shoemaker's trade in the 
old country, he worked at it in Neillsville, 
this county, from June until the fall of 1871. 
He then came to Greenwood, where he also 
worked at his trade, having built tiie sixth 
house in the [ilace. The village had just 
been platted that siimiuer, and our subject 
bought the first lot after the platting. He 
followed his trade here until 1886, when he 
engaged in general merchandising. During 
this time he had be(ui burned out twice, the 
first time in 1878, and the second in 1885, and 
in the latter fire the village was destroyed. 
Mr. i'eterson was married in Norway, De- 
cember 27, 1860, to Miss Andrea Tranniel, a 
daughter of Israel Tranmel, of Norway. They 
have had ten children, of whom six still 
survive, namely: Carrie, Marit, Sr., Marit, 
Jr., Peter, Anna E. and Iiiireborf. The 
daughter, Ingeborg, died when seven years 
old, and the second Ingeborg was born one 
day after the formc^r's death. Carrie mar- 
ried O. C. Johnson, of Eaton Township, and 
they have had eight idiildren, of wlioiii four 
are now living: J ulia, Annie. Amelia and 



268 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTOHY OF 



Carl O. Marit, Sr., married Simon Johnson, 
of Warner Township, and has four cliildren: 
Josephine, Amanda E., Selma C. and Helga 
E. Marit, Jr., married Lars W. Larson, 
whose sketch appears in this work. Mr. 
Peterson was a member of the Town Board 
in 1877-'78, and has been Town Clerk for 
the past three years. Both he and his wife 
are members of the Lutheran Church, and 
the former is also a member of the L O. O. F. 
fraternity. Politically he is a Republican, 
and is an enterprising and puljlic-spirited 
man. He owns a tine farm of 130 acres, forty 
acres of which is cleared, on section 26, range 
2 west, Warner Township. 



fAMES BKYDEN, a prominent farmer, 
stock-raiser and lumberman of section 
35, "Warner Township, Clark County, was 
born in Queens County, Nova Scotia, July 
17, 1841, the son of Robert (deceased) and 
Margaret (Freeman) Bryden, the former a 
native of Manchester, England, and the latter 
of Liverpool, Nova Scotia. The father came 
with his parents to the latter country when a 
boy; he was a farmer by occupation. Of 
their nine children, six still survive: James, 
John, David, "William H., Letitia A. and 
Henrietta R. John and William H. are en- 
gaged in our subject's logging camps, of 
which they are superintendents. David is 
living in Phillips, Price County, Wisconsin. 
Letitia married William F. Mason, of Faulk- 
ton, North Dakota; Henrietta married Mar- 
tin Schivers, of Caledonia, Nova Scotia. 

James Bryden came to Black River Falls 
in the fall of 1869, where he worked two 
winters for D. J. Spaulding, after which 
he became his foreman for si.K years, or 
until the latter failed. He then began log- 
ging for himself, in which he has ever since 



continued. He removed to Greenwood in 
the fail of 1880, and in April, 1883, settled 
on his present place, which adjoins the town 
of Greenwood, and the next year built a tine 
frame residence. He owns 800 acres in this 
county, 125 of which is cleared, and the re- 
mainder is covered with hardwood timber, 
pine, etc. He runs three camps, and during 
the winters of 1888-'89 and '90, handled 
nearly 12,000,000 feet of logs each winter. 
Mr. Bryden was married May 24, 1881, to 
Addie Armstrong, born in La Crosse, Wis- 
consin, thcdaughterof AVilliam J. Armstrong, 
of Ashland, Wisconsin. They have one 
child, AVales, born December 5, 1882. Mr. 
Bryden was Chairman of the Board of War- 
ner Township one term, and is also a member 
of the A. O. U. W. He is one of the en- 
terprising and foremost citizens of Clark 
County, and is respected and loved by all who 
know him. 



. ; , i ;.| i . ^-. 



ARTIN V. H E ATH, a farmer of York 
Township, Clark County, was born 
February 21, 1836, the second son of 
Jehiel and Rebecca Heath, of St. Lawrence 
County, New York. In August, 1862, he 
enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and 
Sixth New York Infantry. Being placed in 
the Army of the Potomac, he participated 
in the battles of the Wilderness and in many 
minor engagements. In Ajiril, 1865, he was 
in the charge at Petersburg. He was never 
wounded, altjiough he had two very narrow 
escapes, one ball knocking an ear-ring out 
and another striking the " U. S." on his 
cartridge-box, with force enough to stagger 
him. Ill all he was in seventeen engage- 
ments. Was laid up in the hospital only by 
rheumatism one winter. He was mustered 
out on the last of June, 1865. A year or so 




CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



269 



later lie came AVest, and iiniiiediately located 
on a farm in tlie town of Wn-k, vvliicdi was 
then a part of the town of Weston, in Clark 
County. He has since been engaged in farm- 
ing, until about a year ago, when he became 
a resident of Wood County, just over the line, 
still retaining an interest in lands in Clark 
County. 

lie has been married twice; first, to Miss 
Kodella Winnie, August 9, 1862, and subse- 
quently to Mrs. Sevilla L. Williams, nee 
Peck, January 2, 1880. By her former mar- 
riage she had three children: George P., 
born December 5, 1852; Frank H., February 
8, 18()8, and May A., March 9, 1873. The 
eldest son is married and lives on a farm in 
Clark County, and the second son is living 
with him. The daughter is a member of the 
household of Mr. and Mrs. Heath. Mrs. 
Heath's first husband was in Company M, 
First Wisconsin Heavy Artillery, and served 
eleven months, to the close of the war. Mr. 
Heath is a pensioner, and Mrs. Heath is en- 
titled to arrears pension for his dependent 
chililren, and is taking steps to secure it. 



IfSKNliV W. YAXKEE, a farmer of sec- 
tion 8, township 24, range 1 east, was 
born December 26, 1844, in Hamilton, 
Canada, the fourth son in a family of six 
sons and one dauirhter. Their father, a 
year after his marriage, emigrated from 
near Stettin, Prussia. He was a tailor by 
trade, but did nt)t follow that vocation much 
after comiiig to America, devoting more of 
his time to agriculture. His eldest son, 
Frederick, was born in Prussia; August, 
James and Henry were boi-n in Canada; and 
Ernest, Herman and Itcisa in Washington 
County, this State. Frederick enlisted for 



the Union in the late war, in ('oinpany I, 
Foui-teentli Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, in 
1861, and during service was taken sick and 
placed in a hospital, where he died. Rosa 
came to Clark County with the family, grew 
to womanhood, married August Reidle, and 
died at the age of twenty-two years. 

Mr. Yankee's parents were Frederick and 
Frederica (Knoll) Yankee. The father came 
from Washington County, by way of Sparta, 
to Clark County, with his own conveyance, 
in company with the Kleinsmidtki and Ster- 
Tiitzkyi families, in the early life of these 
families there was much interchange and ac- 
commodation, as the Sternitzkyis and the 
Yaidvces settled on adjoining sections, while 
the Kleinsmidtkis were five miles away. No 
schools, no churches, no slores, no mills, no 
jjostoffice, no clearing, almost no neighbors, — 
would be a description of the situation in 
1854, when these pioneer families set foot in 
Clark County. Mr. Yankee purchased 480 
acres of land, at the then Government ])rice, 
$1.25 per acre. This formed what is now 
the homestead farm of 100 acres, occupied by 
Herman, eighty-six by Henry, seventy-four 
by James, and eighty by William; the rest 
has been sold. James, Henry, AV^illiam and 
Herman now reside in Clark County, August 
in Ashland County, and Ernest was lost to 
the family at the age of fourteen years, as 
nothing has been heard of him since that 
time, nearly thirty 3'ears ago. 

Mr. Yankee, whose name introduces this 
sketch, was married February 25, 1875, to 
Amelia Knoop, at Lynn, and they have four 
children, namely: Ernest H. W., burn ]\Iay 7, 
18S2; Arthur F. F., July 18, 1884; Martin 
E. F., April 27, 1886, and Lillian A., April 
9, 1888. Mrs. Yankee was a daughter of 
Jacob and Louise Knoop, and was born Oc- 
tober 8, 1854. She had five i)rothers but no 
sister. The family an^ from Prussia, lint she 



370 



BIOGRAPniCAL HISTORY OF 



came to this State with family after the deatli 
of her father, locating in Clark County. 

Since his marriage Mr. Yankee has given 
his whole attention to his farm, liut previous 
to that he worked in tiie pineries iive win- 
ters, as did most of the new-comers of early 
day. 



fEOFtGE J. HART, a merchant of Neills- 
ville, Wisconsin, was born in Center, 
New York, November 1, 1844, son of 
Mr. and Mrs. Jnlius H. Hart, the former a 
native of Vermont and the latter of New 
York. Both are still living in the Empire 
State. The father, a carpenter and joiner by 
trade, has been an industrious man all his 
life and has accumulated a nice little fortune. 
He has never tasted tobacco or whiskey and 
has a character above reproach; holds his ob- 
ligation sacred and is trusted by all who 
know him. Of their six children the sub- 
ject of this sketch was the second born. All 
are living and in good health. George ob- 
tained his education in his native town, 
taking a partial course in the university at 
Center, lie learned the carpenter's trade 
with his father, after which he went to Jef- 
ferson County, where, for five or six years he 
was engaged in house- moving, 

In 1871 Mr. Hart came to Clark County, 
Wisconsin, with a capital of $800 whicli he 
had saved from his earnings. Here he was 
employed in the woods hauling logs. That 
sprin<' he was engaged as a clerk in the hard 
ware store of J. H. Weston, continuing with 
liim until the spring of 1875. When his 
emyloyer died Mr. Hart was engaged to set- 
tle up the business. He was married in the 
fall of 1875 to Mira Coswell. She • is a 
daughter ot B. Coswell, a farmer, and was 
educated in JeiTersoii County, New York. 



She takes delight in literary work and was a 
teacher from the time she was eleven years 
old until her marriage. Mr. Hart served as 
Deputy County Treasurer for two years and 
was for a time engaged as bookkeeper for 
Mr. Boths, proprietor of a general store. 
He next turned his attention to mining but 
was unsuccessful in that business. In 1888 
Mr. Hart opened a general merchandise store. 
He keeps a large stock of groceries, and by 
his honorable method of dealing with his 
customers he has secured a fair patronage 
and brought his business up to a paying 
basis. He is a member of the Modern 
Woodmen, and his political views are in ac- 
cordance with Republican principles. His 
wife has been a member of the Presbyterian 
Church for a number of years. 



►>^ 



»?S)KS. MARGARET ANN FLICK, re- 
siding on section 7, township 24, 
■^^g^ range 4 west, Clark County, was 
born in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, June 
5, 1833, a daughter of Jacob Miller, who 
brought up six sons and four daughters, in 
Pennsylvania. Their names are: John, 
Charles, Elizabeth C, William, George, 
Margaret Ann, Reuben, Mary (3., Lydia L. 
and Jacob C, all of whom grew up. Mrs. 
Flick's mother, Lydia, was also a member of 
a family of six sons and four daughters, 
namely: John, Jacob, Joseph, Jonas, Jessie, 
Elizabeth, Mary, Catharine, Lydia and 
Charles. Of this family Joseph was the 
only one who caine West to settle, and his 
mothei' joined him a year or so later. The 
grandparents on both sides were natives of 
this country. The Miller and Flick lines are 
traced back to England. The maternal grand- 
mother lived to the extreme old age of 
ninety-seven years, iive months and twenty- 



CLARK AND JACKSON OOirjvr/ES. 



271 



six (lays. Ltm^evity indeed characterizes all 
the lilies of ancestry. 

Mrs. Flick's father served in the war of 
1812, and three of her hrothers in the late 
war of the Rebellion. Charles enlisted at 
Madison, Wisconsin, served out his time, and 
was honorably discharged at the close of the 
great struggle, riot having received any se- 
rious wounds. He died in December, 1889, 
at tiie cage of seventy- three years. George 
enli.'Jted in one of the earliest Pennsylvania 
regiments, was twice taken prisoner, but 
made his escape each time. Tlie second time 
lie made his way out through the prison 
walls and earthworks by digging through 
with a spoon. He served to the end of the 
war, being promoted meanwhile to be Ser- 
geant. Caspar, the youngest, was also spared 
by his patriotic father, a veteran of the war 
of 1812, enlisting at Madison, and served 
through the war. All three of these were 
in the hottest rights, and were honorably dis- 
charged at the close. ' 

The subject whose name heads this sketch 
married Jacob Flick, in 1851, in Clarion 
(Jounty, Pennsylvania, and two years later 
they came West and settled in Dane County, 
Wisconsin, near Madison, which place was 
then a small village. In October, 1856, 
they came to Clark County, settling upon a 
homestead which he iiad taken durinxr the 
preceding spring. They experienced the 
usual hardships of pioneer life. Mr. Flick 
lost ills life eleven years later when out 
hunting, being accidentally shot by a gun in 
the hands of a neighbor. Py his death he 
left a widow and eight children, the youngest 
being only five months old. In order of 
birth the names of the children are as follows: 
Augusta M., born in Pennsylvania, May 25, 
1852, died April 5, 1890; Lydia C., born 
August 25, 1854; Emma C, January 1, 1857; 
John E., February 28, 1859; Jacob R., born 



March 28, 1801; Lilly J., January 27, 18(13; 
(Iliarles C, March 8. 1805, and William J., 
April 8, 1807. All these are married and 
settled excepting William J., who remains 
at iiome with his mother. One dautrhter, 
Emma, married E<lgar Shaver and lives in 
Minnesota. All the others are livinir in 
Clark County, Wisconsin, excepting Lydia, 
now Mrs. Albert Lane and residing in Tay- 
lor County, as also does Charles. Lilly mar- 
ried Charles Lane. 



OHN CHARLES.— Prominent among 
the successful farmers and old settlers 
of Clark County, Wisconsin, we find the 
name that heads this sketch. He remembers 
distinctly all the hardships through which lie 
passed and many of the pleasing incidents 
connected with his pioneer life, and can re- 
late them in a vivid and interesting manner. 
Mr. Charles was born in Somerset County, 
Maine, January 1, 1824. In 1859, with his 
wife and live children, he came to AVisconsin 
and settled in Clark County, where he bought 
eighty acres of land in the howling wilder- 
ness. By his industry this has been devel- 
oped into a jiroductive farm. Py economy 
and continued hard labor he added to his 
first purchase and now owns a large tract of 
land in section 1, Pine Valley Township. 
Another child was born to them in this State, 
making six in all. Their names are Lyman 
(!., William Sewell, Josie, Angle, John and 
Meddle. Tliiee of them have been teachers 
in the district schools of the county. Mr. 
Charles lias been much interested in educa- 
tional nuitters, havinjr served as school di- 
rector for some eighteen yeais. He is an 
upright citizen and one who exerts much in- 
fluence in the community, being esteemed by 
all who know him. For many years he 



273 



niOGRAnilCAL niSTORT OF 




worked in the luinber camp, and is ac- 
quainted witli the j,'rowth and progress of 
Clark County as well, perhaps, as anyone. 
Although on the shady side of life, he is 
quite active and has, it is hoped, many years 
of useful life before him. 

^lljjILLIAM M. FARNING, of section 
5, Grant Township, was born in Al- 
t*4p^ bany, New York, Jfecember lli 
1852, and is a son of Michajl and Ann 
(Markey) Farning, natives of Ireland. The 
parents emigrated to America in their 
younger days, and were not united in mar- 
riage until after they had crossed the sea. 
In 1855 they came to Wisconsin, and settled 
at Weston's Kapids, Clark County, where 
they resided a few years; they then removed 
t<j a farm on section B. When the civil war 
broke out, Michajl Farning was not slow to 
take up arms in the defense of his adopted 
country; he joined the Second Wisconsin Cav- 
alry, Company I, as a private and served until 
1864, when ho died of disease at Vicksburg, 
Mississippi. His widow still lives on the 
old home in Grant Township. Mr. Farning 
was among the pioneer teachers of Clark 
County, was for many years a surveyor, and 
held several of the minor offices of the 
township. 

William M. Farning is one of a family of 
fonr children: John, a lumberman of Clark 
County ; Robert, deceased, and Frank, a farmer 
of Grant Township. Our subject was reared 
to farm life, and received his education in the 
common schools. He remained at home un- 
til he was twenty-three years of age, and 
then engaged in the lumber and logging busi- 
ness in which he has since continued; for 
nine years he has operated two saw- mills in 
Clark County, and owns an interest in an- 



other one; his aimual business acrrre 'ites 
2,000,000 feet of lumber. He started out in 
life withont capital, relying upon his own ex- 
ertions, and his efforts have been crowned 
with success. He owns in addition to his 
saw-mill interests eighty acres of land in 
Grant Township and 120 acres in York 
Township. 

Folitically Mr, Farning is identified with 
the Democratic party, and belongs to Black 
River Lodge, No. 32, A. O. U. W. 

In 1875, Novemlter 14, he was united in 
marriage to Miss Lucinda Dwyer, a native of 
Michigan, born November 27, 1853, and a 
daughter of John H. and Catherine (Murray) 
Dwyer. They have had three children: 
William, Frank and Janie. 



-*!H«f-|^'- 



fRANCiy M. FULTS, of section 30, 
Withee Township, Clark County, was 
born in Dodge County, Wisconsin, Feb- 
ruary 28, 1849, the son of Joseph and Eme- 
11 ne (Lawrence) Fnlts, natives of the State of 
New York. They had eight children: Se- 
villa, now Mrs. Boardman; Francis, our sub- 
ject; Alonzo, Elmer, Wesley, Austin, Ida 
and Alden. The father went to Idaho with 
Captain Fisk's expedition in 1864, and has 
not been heard from since 1865, and is sup- 
posed to be dead. The mother now lives on 
the Pembina Mountains, Cavalier County, 
North Dakota, as do all the children except 
the two eldest. 

Francis M., the subject of this sketch, 
went with his parents to Dodge County, 
Minnesota, in 1855, where he was reared on 
a farm, and received a limited education, as 
the country was then new and inhabited by 
Indians and wild animals. He has hunted a 
groat deal, killing deer, bear, wolves, lynx, 
wild-eats, etc. He was engaged in farming 





.^^^ (^'-.y^ 



^c^e/Tc^^ 



r 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



373 



tliere until tlic spring of 1873, when lie 
came to iiis present farm, which was then 
covered witii timl)er. Since that time he has 
wori<ed in the woods nearly every winter, has 
driven logs several springs, and worked on 
the farm in the snininers. lie owns eighty 
acres of good land, sixty of which he has 
since cleared. 

Mr. Fults was married Octoher 6,1871, to 
Laura Kern, who was horn in I'oone Connty, 
Indiana, A})ril If], 1857, the danghter of 
Jesse A. (deceased) and Mary E. (Beck) 
Kern; the father was a native of Nicholas 
Connty, Kentucky, and the mother of Indi- 
ana. Mr. and Mrs. Fults had four children, 
three now living, namely: Jes.^e E., born 
January 16, 1873; Richard, January 25, 
1878; and Walter M., February 7, 1880. 
One daughter, Cora E., born August 10, 
1875, died March 3, 1877. Mr. Fults has 
KTved as School Treasurer two or three 
terms, and is a Democrat politically. 



fAMES J. McGILLlVRAY, architect, 
contractor and builder, has been promi- 
nently identified with the interests of 
Black River Falls for many years. lie is a 
native of Canada, born in 1848. His father 
being a farmer i)y occupation, much of his 
youth was spent amid the scenes of farm life. 
During one year of his youth ho was em- 
ployed as cabin boy on a steamer on the St. 
Lawrence River and gulf. Leaving home 
when ho was quite young, he went to Iowa, 
and spent a few months in Charles City. In 
the summer of 1866, when he was but 
eighteen years old. he came to Black River 
Falls, and has since that time made it his 
home. As he was the son of poor parents 
his educational advantages were exceedingly 
limited, but he made the most of his oppor- 



19 



tunities, and by diligence fitted himself for a 
l)usines8 career. 

After coming to Wisconsin, Mr. McGilli- 
vray was engaged at work in the pineries for a 
few months; in 1867 he went to work at the 
carpenter's trade, and was for many years the 
leading architect and builder of Black River 
Falls; for a considerable time he was foreman 
in the construction of Spaulding's saw-mill, 
and also had charge of the building of the 
frame work of Unity Mills; he acted for some 
time as foreman of Mr. Spaulding's sash, 
door and blind factory, and then rented the 
property for a period of three years. During 
this time he was extensively engaged in 
building; among the fine structures erected 
liy him may be numbered the elegant I'esi- 
dence of W. T. Price and that of C. F. Ains- 
worth, the Opera Hall, the Jackson County 
Bank building, and Price's office. 

In August, 1883, the Price Manufacturing 
Company wasorganized with acapital of $25, 
000, and Mr. McGillivray became its super- 
intendent; in October, 1890, he purchased the 
business. He has erected for himself a two- 
story block on the corner of Main and Water 
streets, at a cost of $12,000, and he has done 
the designing of the line^ buildings, t)oth 
residence property and public edifices, in the 
city of Black River Falls. He has always 
had in his employ a large number of men. 
He has invested his means at home, and has 
thus contributed to the growtli of his own 
town; and, although he has been actively en- 
gaged in the conduct of his private interests, 
he has found time to use his influence in the 
elevation of the morals and educational affairs 
of the community. 

Mr. McGillivray has been connected with 
the Jackson County Agricultural Society, 
and also with the Horticultural Society; he 
was secretary one term and treasurer three 
terms of the former, and the success of the 



274 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF 



fairs held by the society lias been largely due 
to bis untiring efforts. He is a member of 
Black River Lodge, No. 74, A. F. and A. M., 
and lias been Master of the lodge for nine 
^ears; be is a member of the I. O. O. F. also. 
He is a strictly temperance man, not having 
known the taste of intoxicating liquors for 
twenty years, and he is an ardent supporter 
of the church and public schools. Politically 
he is affiliated with the Eepublican party, 
and an able advocate of its principles. In 
the fall of 1890 he accepted the nomination 
by his party as a member of the Assembly, 
receiving at the convention thirty-four out 
of forty votes; and although the opposing 
ticket was generally elected, his popularity 
won for him a good majority. During that 
session he introduced the anti-trust bill, and 
fought it through the House against tremen- 
dousoddg,byavoteof fifty-six to twenty-nine, 
winning the applause of the House and con- 
gratulations from the members on both sides. 
Our worthy subject was united in marriage 
at Black River Falls to Miss Flora Hall, 
daughter of Joseph Hall, an early settler of 
the county; this union has resulted in the 
birth of two children: William J., born April 
27, 1882, and Vetla H., born May 14, 1887. 

- ^ ■ ^ • 3 " t ' |" '~ 



fREDERICK W. UERKVITZ, manager 
of Samuel Hiles' store at Lynn, Clark 
County, was born on the island of 
Rugen, in the Baltic sea, under the Prussian 
government, October 4, 1855, a son of Freder- 
ick W. Uerkvitz; and he had one sister, but 
no brother. His paternal ancestry for several 
generations were also natives of that island. 
Rugen contains about 100 square miles, and 
is characterize*! by beautiful scenery and a 
mild and healthful climate. Mr. Uerkvitz 
served his three years in the Prussian army, 



but in time of peace. His father served in 
the war of 1848, when a revolution was car- 
ried on in order to obtain a constitutional 
representation. Mr. Uerkvitz, our suliject, 
was the first and only one of the family to 
break away from the land of their nativity 
and cross the seas to America, which he did 
in July, 1882, landing at New York on the 
18th of that month, at the age of twenty- 
seven years. (/Oming directly to Stevens" 
Point, Wisconsin, he spent a few months 
there, and then devoted one winter to the 
pineries. The ne.xt spring he went to Pitts- 
ville and was ibr several years employed in 
the hub and spoke factory there of A. J. 
Webster & Co. Next he was in mercantile 
business a year in Frank Hiles" store. Then 
Samuel Hiles purchased the stock and started 
a store in the village of Lynn, and Mr. 
Uerkvitz was placed in charge, which posi- 
tion he now holds. 

He was married in December, 1883, to 
Albertena A. Sachnang, and they have twu 
children, namely: Amelia A., born in Pitts- 
ville, October 8, 1884. and Frederick W., 
born in Pittsville, January 14, 1888. His 
wife's father's family, containing five chil- 
dren, came from Switzerland to this country 
in 1862. Mrs. Uerkvitz, the youngest, was 
born January 11, 1861, a year before the 
family came to America, locating in Washara 
County, Wisconsin. Her parents are still 
living, their age being somewhere in the 
'60s. Mr. Sachnang was a sailor in his 
youth, circumnavigating the globe and visit- 
ign many foreign ports. 



■ S"; - ^" -" 



||[ILLIAM S. TUFTS, a merchant of 
Withee, was born in Manitowcc 
Rapids, Wisconsin, February 19, 
1852, the son of Andrew C, who was born 




CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES 



on boiird the ship while his parents were on 
tlie ocean en route from Ireland to tiie United 
States. Tlie parents settled in Maine, where 
Andrew C. was reared and edncated. lie 
came to Manitowoc, Wisconsin, in 184-9, 
when thei'e was but one store in the jilace. 
In 1856 he went overland to California, 
where he engaged at making shintrjes and 
lumbering, and remained until 1857. In 
the spring of 18G0 he went to Pike's Peak, 
entering the employ of the United States 
Gf)vernment in 1S08, having chartre of a 
wagon train. With the entire train he was 
taken prisoner by the noted guerrilla, Mosby, 
but was granted the privilege to look after 
his pony, and in this way escaped in the 
night. Selling both pony am] saddle for $15 
when lie reached the river, he tnanajxed to 
work his way to New Orleans, and there got 
aboard a steamer. Py blacking his face with 
coal-dust, and remaining with the engineer, 
lie deceived the rebel spies, they thinking he 
was a lireinan, and succeeded in reaching 
home. In October, 1801, he enlisted in 
Company E, Fourteenth Wisconsin Volun- 
teer Infantry, serving four years, and par- 
ticipated in many hanl-fought battles — 
Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, and was with 
Sherman to the sea. He died in March, 
1875, after a life of usefulness. Our sub- 
ject's mother was Agnes (Smith) Tufts, a 
native of New Brunswick. Mr. and Mrs. 
Tults were the parents of eleven children, 
namely; James A., Eliza J., William S., 
Mary A., Margaret A., Hannah W., Crosier, 
Louella and Alberta. James A. was also in 
the late war, in the same company with his 
father. He enlisted in March, 1864, and 
participated in the battles of Ball's Hill, 
Ezra Church, Resaca, Savannah, and was 
with Sherman on his march to the sea. 

In tlie spring of 1872 the suliject of this 
sketch went to Clreen Bay, Wisconsin, where 



he worked at various occupations until the 
fall of 1874, when he came to Stevens' Point, 
and thence to Unity, this county, where he 
worked for D. J. Spaulding two years, actinif 
as foreman in his logging camps. In 1877 
he came t(j Withee and took charge of Spauld- 
ing's farm two years, and then engaged in 
his j)resent business. He carries a capital 
stock of $8,000, and does an annual l)usines8 
of $30,000. He also owns 1,760 acres of 
land, the Withee Hotel, and live lots in the 
village, and also deals in real estate. When 
Mr. Tufts came to this county he had noth- 
ing, but by energy, hard work and good 
management he has accumulated a fortune. 

He was married January 12, 1873, to 
Anna McLeod, daughter of John McLeod, 
and they have five children, four of whom are 
still living: William C, Daniel J., John A. 
and Esther A. One daughter, Maggie, born 
July 22, 1877, died October 5, 1880. Mr. 
Tufts has been chairman of the Town Board 
one year, and Justice of the Peace nearly 
ever since he came to this place. He has 
been clerk of the School Board nine years, 
and was appointed Postmaster by President 
Harrison, November 23, 1889, which otiice 
he still holds. He is a member of the I. O. 
O. F. Lodge, No 234, at Colby, this county. 
Politically ho athliates with the Republican 
party. 



.ipaETER BEVER, a farmer of section 7, 
j\f township 24, range 4 west, Clark County, 
was born in Milwaukee County, Wis- 
consin, March 5, 1855, the eldest of four 
sons of Peter Rever, Sr., in whose family 
there were no daughters. His father was 
born near Kell, Prussia, on the famous banks 
of the Rhine, and emigrated on a sailing 
vessel when a young man, retjuiring six 



878 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OP 



months' time, and immediately located at 
Milwaukee. A sister of his came afterward 
and settled in Walworth County, this State, 
after her marriage, bringing a large family 
of children who have grown up and settled 
in different States. The remainder of the 
grandparents' children continued their resi 
dence in the old country. Peter Bever, Sr., 
died January 18, 1866. The brothers of 
the subject of this sketch were: John, born 
October 2, 1856, at Milwaukee; Andrew, 
February 16, 1859, in Clark County; and 
Nicholas, December 6, 1861, also in Clark 
County, and died Octol)er 20, 1873, in this 
county, at the age of about twelve years. 
Andrew, a man of a family, lives near by; 
John near Otter Creek, in Clark County. 
He married Annie Weinstock, November 25, 
1889. 

Mr. Bever, whose name heads this sketch, 
married Dena Bergman, November 22, 1877. 
She is a daughter of Adolph Bergman, who 
had four daughters and four sons, namely: 
George, Adolph, Anton, Lena, Frank, Mary, 
Elizabeth and Theresa, all of whom are now 
living excepting Mary. Of this large family, 
one, Adolph, is a Catholic priei^t in Syracuse, 
New York; George, the eldest, is a well- 
known architect in St. Paul, with a large and 
prosperous business; and the other two are 
contractors and builders in the same city. 
The two living sisters are married and set- 
tled in the town of Mentor, Clark County. 
The parents came to this country from West- 
phalia about 1882, and the father's death 
occurred November 9, 1889, at the age of 
seventy-five years, and the mother is still 
living in the township above mentioned, at 
the age of seventy years. Mr. Bever has had 
dve children, as fo lows: Elizabeth, born De- 
cember 11, 1878; Theresa, Deqember 2, 1880; 
Mary, December 18, 1882; Emma, January 
9, 1885; and Peter G., December 27, 1889. 



Mr. Bever came to the township wliere he 
now lives when it was entirely new, there 
being only seven families therein at the time. 
For breadstuff he had to take his grist to a 
mill at Sparta, the trip consuming four days. 
The many Indians here at the time were the 
source of great fear and anxiety, although 
they made no serious outbreaks. Mr. Bever 
is now busily engaged in farming and estab- 
lishing a permanent home on a fractional 
eighty-acre tract of land, his house being on 
a commanding site, and in a few years he 
will have made it and its surroundintrs ail 
that an independent farmer can desire. 



» 3 i ' S * .s ' " *" 



lUDLEY B. MEANS, a self-made man 
and a prominent and influential citizen, 
resides on a farm of 2-45 acres-, which is 
located on section 16, Pine Valley Township, 
Clark County. An outline of his life is as 
follows: 

Mr. Means was l)orn in Quebec, Canada, 
May 30, 1840, son of Edwai-d and Mary A. 
(Paysley) Means. His parents were born in 
Ireland, the father in 1807 and the mother 
in 1810. The former is deceased, and the 
lattei', now at the advanced age of eighty 
years, resides with her son, the subject of this 
sketch. In 1862 Mr. Means learned the 
trade of stone mason, and for some years 
worked at his trade in Quebec during the 
summers, spending his winters at work in 
the woods, in 1865 he left Canada, came to 
the United States and for a time made his 
home in Ohio. There he secured employ- 
ment, superintending the farm of Hon. John 
Sherman while that gentleman was on a trip 
to Europe. After remaining in Ohio for a 
year and a half, he came to Wisconsin, land- 
ing in Clark County May 23, 1867. Two 
years he worked in the woods, and then for 



CLAUK AND JACKSON iJOUNTIKS. 



377 



seven years lie superintended a luirj^ing camj) 
for otlier parties. After tliat he began woi'k 
for himself in tiie luiul)eriri2 business. Tiiis 
adventure, liowever, proved nnsnccessfnl and 
he lost $5,000 in one year. 

In 1876 Mr. Means married Lottie E. 
Ross, a daughter of Robert Ross, the old 
pioneer Ininbernian of Wisconsin. Five 
children have blessed this nnion: Xellie, 
Delia, Lottie E., DndJey B., Jr., and Frankie. 
Mrs. Means is a lady of culture and retine- 
nient. Her education was obtained at Fox 
Lake Academy, Wisconsin, and at the Uni- 
versity of Rockford, Illinois. 

While livino; in Wisconsin Mr. Means has 
been variously employed, — lumbering exten- 
sively and carrying on mercantile business for 
anuml)er of years, conducting a general store 
in Neillsville; and, although meeting with a 
great deal of misfortune by tire and otherwise 
in the i)ast years, is now at full speed ascending 
the hill of prosperity. lie is now giving his 
attention to farming. In 1881) he was burned 
out, and over the ruins af his old home he 
has constructed a large and beautiful brick 
residence, costing more than $3,000. Mr. 
Means is a member of the K. of I*, and of 
the Modern Workmen. He is an active 
politician, casting his vote and inlhicnce with 
the Republican party. 



-i - i S • S* < £ * V *' 



[LJSTUIS D. IIOSLEY, a farmer and 
lumber dealer,' resides three miles from 
Neillsville, Wisconsin. His farm is 
located on sections 1, Fine Valley Township, 
and 35 and 3tj, Weston Township, Clark 
County. 

Mr. Ilosley was born in this county, June 
n, 1850, son of David and Fanny Hoslcy. 
They settled in (!lai-k County at an early 
date, where his father bouifht a lartce trai-tof 



land nearly 500 acres. When (Justus left 
hotne he turned his attention to the lumber- 
ing Ijusiness, of which he has made a spe- 
cialty and in which he has been very success- 
ful. He has recently constructed a palatial 
residence at a cost of over $8,000. It is 
built of first-class red brick, has all the !nod- 
ern improvements, and was planned by him- 
self and wife. 

November 19, 1888, he was joined in wed- 
lock with Carrie Raymond, who came to 
Clark County, Wisconsin, in 1852. This 
union has been l)lessed with one child, 
Ralph. Mr. Hosley is one of the substantial 
and intluential men of the county. 



llg^ELEN STURDEVAXT, widow of the 
late David M. Sturdovant, resides on a 
lieantiful eighty-acre farm, located on 
section 1(3, Pine Valley Township, one mile 
due west of Neillsville. Her jiarents came to 
Wisconsin about fifty years ago and located 
at Rubicon, Dodge County, being among the 
early pioneei-s of the State. During his life- 
time her father was one of the leading and 
influential men of his county. She was 
reared and educated at Rubicon. Mrs. 
Sturdevant was the second wife of David M. 
Sturdevant, and by him had three children: 
Stella, Robert M. and (Jscar. Oscar died 
April 18, 1891, of diphtheria. Her husband 
spent the greater part of his life in the lum- 
ber and logging business. He was a Repub- 
lican, a prominent politician and highly 
honored citizen of Clark County, where he re- 
sided the greater part of his life. A short 
time before his death he went to Washiiiirton 
Territory, hoping that a change of climate 
would be conducive to his health. The trip, 
however, did not prove benclicial, and his 
death occurred December 15, 1889. His 



2:8 



nioaiiAPincAL iiisronr of 



widuw, wliu was left in comfurtHble circum- 
stances, continues to reside oti tlie farm. 
Slie is a lady of culture and refinement, and 
has the rare ability of making one feel at 
home in iier presence. 



!^XARION A. YOUMANS, of the lirm 
of Ring & Youmans, attorneys and 
counsellors at law, Neilisville, is a na- 
tive of Wisconsin, and was horn at Kenosha, 
October 14, 1847, a son of Jonas II. You- 
mans. The latter is a native of the State of 
New York, where he was born in 1817. He 
was reared and lived for many years at Java, 
AVyoming County, where he followed the 
business of farming and carpentry. . lie was 
a pioneer of Kenosha, then called Southport. 
His wife's maiden name was Adeline Sill, 
also a native of the Empire State, born at 
Bethany, but resided for many years of her 
earlier life at Alden, Erie County. She died 
iu October, 1888. Tliey were the parents of 
two sons and two daughters: the eldest son, 
Harlow J., is a druggist at Neilisville, and 
the eldest daughter, Ada E., is the wife of 
George II. Bosworth, of Barron County, Wis- 
consin. The younger daughter, Miss Mattie 
F. Yonmans, is a teacher in the schools of 
this city. 

When the subject of this sketch was five 
years of age, his father removed with his 
family from Kenosha to the town of Arling- 
ton, Columbia County, where our subject was 
reared on a farm and educated in the public 
Bchools. He began life for himself as a clerk 
in a store at Poynette. Coming to Xeills- 
ville, he engaged in the same capacity for 
George Farnham & Co. He had, however, 
for some time in contemplation the study of 
law, and having fully decided to adopt the 
law as a piofes.sioii he entered the law de- 



partment of the State University at Madison, 
from which he graduated in 1876. The firm 
of Ring & Yonmans is one of the leading 
tirnis in Clark County. They have a large 
legal practice, and also do an extensive real- 
estate Inisiness. 

Mr. Youmans was united in marriage at 
Neilisville, in 1877, to Miss Nettie French, 
daughter of B. F. French, a pioneer of Clark 
County, a sketch of wliom is found elsewhere 
in this work. Mr. \oumans owns and 
occupies a tine farm in the town of Grant, 
about two miles east of the city of Neilis- 
ville, where he has a beautiful home, at a 
convenient distance from the city. Besides 
attending to his professional duties, he is 
deeply interested in the agricultural develop- 
ment and general prosperity of the county. 
He is President of the Clark County Agri- 
cultural Society. He has a fine tarm of 400 
acres, 250 acres of which is improved, and is 
under his personal supervision. Mr. You- 
mans is a prominent member of the Masonic 
fraternity, also of the Chippewa Commandery 
at Eau Claiie, and of the Chapter at Black 
River Falls. Mr. and Mrs. Youtnans have 
three children. Their only son, Guy Clarion, 
was born October 18, 1880, and their daugh- 
ters are Viola and Adda B. Politically Mr. 
Youmans is a Republican. As a business 
man he is energetic and successful, and takes 
a deej) interest in whatever tends to promote 
the best interests of his city and county. 



J^RANK DWYER, a farmer, residing on 
f& section 6, Grant Township, Clark Coun- 
^y-' ty, was born on Wolf River, Wisconsin. 
December 19, 1859. He is a son of John 
and Catherine Dwyer, both natives of Ire- 
land. They came to Wisconsin in 1859, with 
six children and with no capital with which 



CLAUK AND JACKaoN COUJSTIUS. 



279 



to hecriii life ill the new State. F'diir of the 
chilih-eii are still liviiio;. In 1803 they set- 
tle:! in Ulai'k County, where the father 
liiiurht a lar^e tr.ut of Government land 
which, with the assistance of his sons, ho 
cleared up and converted into beautiful farms. 
John Dwyer was perhaps one of the best 
known farmers in Clark County. He was a 
whole-souled, congenial, kind-iiearted man, 
who loved to tell ;i story, and his manner of 
talk, althouj;li a little eccentric, b.)spoke a 
chaste and cheerful man. Politically he was 
a Democrat. His death occuried in January, 
1881. The mother's death occurred January 
22, 1890. She w.is an e.^cniplary Christian 
woman, and her loss was deeply felt by her 
sons and a large circle of friends. 

Frank Dwyer, the subject of this sketch, 
a I enterprising youncr farmer, re.sides on the 
old homestead. He is a man of integrity, 
a[id is following in the footsteps of his 
worthy father. He was married November 
4, 18'JU, to Miss Julia Kapka, daughter of 
Martin Kapka, of Neillsville, Wisconsin. 



•♦ ^ • ^ ' ^ • ^" "^ 



^IRAM W. VARNEY, of section 20, 
Warner Township, Clark County, was 
born in Somerset County, Maine, June 
23, 1830, tlu! son of Levi aiui Harriet (Stew- 
ard) Varney. The former died when Hiram 
was six years old, and the latter died on the 
old homestead in 1875. Tiiey were the par- 
ents of eight children, five of whom are now 
living: Harriet, Levi, Hannah, Elbriiige and 
Hiram. One son, the next older than our 
sul)ject, Charles, went to California in 1840, 
thence to Australia the next year, and it was 
reported that he then started to Callao, South 
America, but as he was never heard from it 
is supposed that he was murdered for his 
money. The other two wiM-e Warren and 



Joseph; the former died about 1S40, and the 
latter in 1882 in Maine. 

Hira-n W., onr subject, was reared on a 
farm, and received his educition in the com- 
mon schools of his native county. In 1S.")4 
he went, via Panama, to Cilifornia, where he 
engaged in mining mostly until 1S50, and in 
that year returned to'his native county. He 
was a soldier in the late war, in Company A, 
Nineteenth Maine Volunteer Infantry, serv- 
ing nearly three years. He was in the first 
battle of Fredericksburg; was then detailed 
to the Ambulance Corps, an(| was afterward 
attached to the headquarters of the Rhode 
Island Heavy Artillery Brigade, driving the 
headquarters team with the hospital stores 
for the Held. He accidentally shot the index 
finger off his right hand while in service, 
which was afterward amputated. He was 
also injured in the right foot by an ambulance 
wagon passing over it, and now draws a pen- 
sion for each injury. 

After the war Mr. Varney came to La 
Crosse, Wisconsin, in August, 1805, and re- 
mained until 1808, when he removed to 
Mitchell County, Iowa, and was there eno-ao-ed 
m tarming two years, and also manufactured 
milk-safes and fanning-mills one year. In 
1871 he returned to La Crosse, and in the 
spring of 1873 came to this connty, settling 
oil his present farm of eighty acres, forty-five 
of which is cleared. It was then a dense 
wood8,and wild animalsand Indiansabounded, 
l)ut the latter never annoyed Mr. Varney. 

He was married July 13, 1801, to Cynthia 
E. Withee, who was born in Somerset (bounty, 
Maine, on the same farm on which her father 
was born. Her parents were Zachariah and 
Polly (Longley) Withee, both natives of 
Maine and now deaease 1. They li 1 1 s;vjm 
children, three of whom are now livino-: 
Hiram, Levi ami Cynthia. On ; son, Niran, 



leceastvl, late of Longwood, owned large 



280 



BIOaBAFHICAL HISTOBT OF 



tracts of pine land in this county, wliicli is 
now owned by tiie heirs. Mr. and Mrs. Var- 
ney hare had nine children, seven of whom 
still survive, namely: Charlie A. L., Alba F., 
Edith E., Louise A., Ralph L., Mabel F. and 
Maud I). Charlie A. L. was married No- 
vember 27, 1890, to Nettie Van Airsdale, of 
Waupaca County, Wisconsin, and is now 
living in Thorp, this county. Mr. Varney 
was the tirst Assessor of Warner Township, 
and has also been a member of the 8chool 
Board several years. lie is a member of the 
G. A. R. and Masonic fraternities. Both he 
and his wife are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal CJhurch, and the latter is also 
president of the Women's Relief Corp, of 
Greenwood. In his political views Mr. Var- 
ney is a Republican. 

"*"• % ' l*-*i^-^'-^ 

fC. MILLER, of section 27, Warner 
Township, Clark County, was born in 
® Renfrew County, Ontario, January 2, 
1848, the son of John Miller (deceased), a 
native of P>ngland. The latter, a farmer and 
lumberman by occupation, came with his 
parents to Ontario wlien a boy. lie spent 
the iirst eighteen years thereafter on a farm, 
and then went to Warren County, Pennsyl- 
vania, where he spent ten years in the woods 
and saw-mills. In 1876 he came to this 
county, locating on his present farm, where 
he has also been engaged in lutnbering ever 
since, lie farms to raise feed fur his stock 
and teams which lie employs in the camps 
during the winters. The previous winter he 
ran two camps, but this winter, 1890-"91, he 
has only one, employing about thirty men, 
besides six four horse teams, sprinkler team, 
tote team ami two or three yoke (jf cattle. 
lie owns in all about 240 acres of land, 110 
of which is cleared. He also owns a one- 



half interest in lot 1, city of Greenwood, 
which consists of forty-live acres, and also a 
liouse and lot in the latter place. When he 
left his father, Mr. Miller was twenty-four 
years old, and had onlj' $15 in money, and 
he has since risen to his present position by 
hard work and good management. 

He was married September 26, 1872, to 
Elizabeth, daughter of John Honeywell, de- 
ceased. They have six children: Olive T., 
Maud M., Lynn H., Gertrude, Bessie B. and 
Smith. Mr. Miller held the office of Town 
Treasurer five years, and was also Director of 
the School Board one term. Religiously, he 
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Cliui-ch, and politically a Prohibitionist. 

He remodeled his house in 1887, and ho 
now owns a tine two-story frame, 24 x 28 feet, 
with a wing 18x22, and another addition 
16 X 26 feet. He has two tine barns, one 
36 X 46 feet, twenty-foot posts, and the other 
36 X 66 feet, eighteen-foot posts. 



fRANK ZETSCHE, of section 24, Clark 
County, was born in Saxony, Germany, 
November 10, 1849, the son of Am- 
brcsius Zetsche, a native of the same country. 
Our sul>ject received his education in the 
common schools of Germany, and after coming 
to this country mastered the English language 
by his own study. He always worked on a 
farm during his vacations, and attended school 
constantly during each session in his UHtive 
country until the age of si.xteen years. His 
father was an office holder, and Frank did his 
writing and calculating for him. He came 
to the United States in 1867, and spent three 
years in Washington County, Wisconsin, 
where he worked on a farm. He came to this 
county in 1870, and during the winters was 
engaged in the pineries, and in the summers 



GLAUK AJ^D JACKHON C(JlfATIJi\S 



281 



at farm work, liuvino; spent aliout lifteen win- 
ters ill tlio woods. He settled on his present 
farni May 1, 1874, vvliicli was then heavy 
tiniher. Ho now owns 160 acres, forty acres 
of whicii is cleared, where he has a <j;ood barn 
and a fine brick lionse, which was built in 
1889. The main building is 18x28 feet, 
two stories, with additions IG x 26 feet, also 
two stories, and a one-story frame kitchen, 
12 X 22 feet. The residence was built at a 
cost of $1,500. 

Mr. Zetsche was married November 21, 
1872, to Ida Fricke, a daughter of William 
Fricke, whose biography a])pears in this work. 
Mr. and Mrs. Zetsche have three children: 
Matilda, l<"riinkie and liobert W., born Sep- 
tember 24, 1875, January 2, 1882, and Feb- 
ruary 2, 1881), respectively. Mr. Zetsclie has 
been Itoad Supervisor one year, and is now a 
member of the School ijoard. In his political 
action he votes for the man and not the 
party. 



jLBEIlT MANTEY, of section 3, range 
3, Weston Township, dark (Jounty, 
"^^^ was born in Pomcl, (Tcrniany, Novem- 
ber 18, 1857, the son of Michael Mantey, 
deceased. Albert came to the United States 
in the s|)ring of 1882, settling in Marinette 
County, Wisconsin, wliere he lived until 1889. 
In that year he came to this county, settling 
on his ])rcsent farm of eighty acres, of which 
he has since cleared twelve acres. Here he 
is engaged in general fanning and stock- 
raising. He was married July 11, 1884, to 
Alvina Zostro, a daughter of Ferdinand Zes- 
tro, and they liave two children, — Mai-y, born 
December 13, 1887, and Eliza. July 25, 1890. 
P>(ith he and his wife are members of the 
Lutheran Church. Mr. Mantey is an enter- 
l)risiiig and bright young man, who has 



adopted America for his future home, and is 
interested in its growth and development. 



fRANK COOPER, of Black River Falls, 
is the second son of Joseph and Grace 
Cooper, and was born in Derbyshire, 
England, March 27, 1825. Joseph Cooper 
was a ship-builder by trade in the old country, 
but emigrated to America when Frank was 
four years old; he purchased a tract of land 
in wiiat was then the far west, Ashtabula 
County, Ohio, which he converted into a 
farm and made his home until his death, 
which occui-red in 1884; he lelt a widow and 
five children: John, Frank, Joseph, Martha 
and Samuel. Three sons, George, William 
and Charles, preceded him to the mystic fu- 
ture. Frank was the only one to stray per- 
manently from the adopted calling of his 
father. Though his schooling was very lim- 
ited, he early exhibited a liking for books, 
and the age of eighteen found him an appren- 
tice ii'. the Ashtabula Sentinel office. At 
the end of this apprenticeship he was em- 
ployed for one year in (Jonneautvilk^ i'enn- 
sylvania, and Ijansing, Michigan. In 1847 
he came to Wisconsin, landing in Milwaukee, 
and with the exception of a short residence 
in Michigan he has been a " Padger " over 
since. He was married at Racine, Wisconsin, 
Decemlier 24, 1848, to Miss Catherine A. 
Fox, daughter of Fi-ancis and Cynthia Fox; 
to them were born three sons: Charles J., 
September 18, 1849; George F., July 9, 1852; 
and Arthur S., April 2, 1856. Charles has 
been in the United States mail service for 
about fifteen years, and Arthur is a civil en- 
gineer, holding a responsilile position in the 
South, (rcorge will be spoken of later. The 
mother died December 30, 1880, and Mr. 



282 



BIOORAPULOAL HISTORY OF 



Cooper was married again October 16, 1886, 
to Mrs. Nellie Harrow. 

The spring of 1857 found Mr. Cooper in 
Fond du Lac County, without employment at 
his trade, and he was induced to go to Black 
River Falls and take the position of foreman 
of the Jackson County Banner. He con- 
tinued in this capacity until March, 1864, 
when he enlisted on his tliirty-ninth birthday 
to serve his country in the war of the Rebel- 
lion. He was mustered into the service at 
Madison, in Company C, Thirty-seventh Wis- 
consin Volunteer Infantry, April 26, 1864. 
The regiment shortly afterward went to the 
front and was assigned to the First Brigade, 
First Division, Ninth Army Corps. He 
served as Second Sergeant until July 28, 
1865, when he was mustered out. He was 
in the siege of Petersburg, and was twice 
wounded in the charge on Fort Mahone; after 
six hours of unconsciousness he found him- 
self in the rebel works, and crawled out, 
dragging his gun in his teeth; he was sent to 
the hospital; but, decliniug to take the medi- 
cine prescribed by the doctors, he was sent 
back to the regiment, where he remained, 
although untit for service; in April, 1864, 
he obtained a recruiting furlough of thirty 
days. After the close of the war he received 
from Governor Fairchild a brevet commission 
as First Lieutenant. 

Upon his return to Black River Falls he 
found no opening in his profession, so, in 
in company with A.J. Mauley, he started, at 
Neillsville, Clark County, a paper called the 
Clark County Advocate. About a year later, 
however, he sold out to his ])artuer, and re- 
turned to the Falls, purchasing a half interest 
ill the Banner. 

Mr. Cooper havingspent the greater portion 
of his life since he started into business on the 
Banner, a brief history of the paper will prob- 
ably not be out of place in this connection. 



Mainly through the efforts of W. T. Price, 
and liljeral subscriptions from other pioneers, 
seeing the necessity of a newspaper to repre- 
sent the growing interests of the Black River 
Valley, the Banner was established, and made 
its first appearance August 14, 1856, with 
Charles Stewart and M. V. B. Young as pub- 
lishers. These gentlemen did not succeed, 
however, and they sold out the following 
winter to F. O. Brainard and D. J. Spauld- 
ing, the latter having only a proprietary in- 
terest. In July, 1865, J. A. Watrous bought 
Mr. Spaulding's interest in the business, and 
in the spring of 1866, George W. Brown 
succeeded Mr. Brainard, but retired in the 
fall of the same year, selling out to Mr. Wat- 
rous. Under the management of the latter, 
the name of the paper was changed to Badger 
State Banner. In December, 1866, Frank 
Cooper purchased a half interest, and became 
an active partner in the concern. AV. T. 
Price bought the interest of Mr. Watrous in 
September, 1869, and about a year later Mr. 
Price sold out to C. J. Cooper, and in the 
summer of 1873 C. J. Cooper retired, and 
George F. Cooper took his place, at the age 
of twenty-one years. With characteristic 
modesty the latter did not permit his name 
to appear as editor or publisher of the paper, 
but he has not spared himself in his efibrts 
to tnake the paper all that can be expected of 
a country newspaper, and while he makes no 
pretensions to greatness, he does justly pride 
himself on understanding his business thor- 
oughly in all its details. From the very 
beginning he exhibited such business tack 
and pains-taking interest in the work that in 
a short time his father let the responsibility 
of the general management rest upon his 
shoulders. 

In February, 1888, Frank Cooper sold his 
interest to his son, who is now conducting 
the business under the name of Cooper & Co. 



CLARK AND JAVKSOS COUNTIES. 



283 



Under this maiiageiiient the paper is gener- 
ally classed as une uf tlie best country pajiers 
in the State, and tliere is pruhuhly uo lietter 
equipped establishment of the kind in this 
section of country. 

Frank Cooper is yet in the vigor of life 
physically and mentally; he spends tiie 
greater portion of his his time in the Banner 
office, rendering iiis son much valuable as- 
sistance in the getting up and publishing of 
the paper. He is of a happy, buoyant dispo- 
sition, prompt in all things, constant and 
conservative. In his younger days he was a 
very powerful man, and he has yet the 
strentrth and endurance of men of fewer 
years. 



fUED \\. rULLlNt^,a rising and pro- 
gressive young business man of Mill- 
ston, was born in Fox Lake, Dodge 
County, Wisconsin, May 25, 1862. His 
parents are David J. and Susan W. (Web- 
ster) Pulling, natives of the States of New 
York and Connecticut respectively. They 
emigrated to the West about the year 1854:, 
and settled in Dodge County, Wisconsin. 
David Pulling is a lawyer by profession, and 
for eighteen years was Circuit Judge; during 
this time he made his home at Oshkosh, 
Wisconsin. lie has given the most of his 
life to the active practice of his j)rofession, 
but is now living in retirement at Creenvilie, 
Florida. He and his wife are members of 
the Episcopal Church. He is a stanch ad- 
herent to tlie principles of the Democratic 
party. The family consists of five children: 
Willis J., Martin M., David, Pradley W., 
and Fred 11. The last, wiio is the youngest, 
and the subject of this notice, was reared in 
Osidiosh, where lie received his education. 
In 1S82 he went to MerrilJon, Wisconsin, 



where he was employed as book-keeper by 
A. S. Trow, deaiei- in lumber; he held this 
position until 1887, when he decided to make 
a ciiange in his business; he went to Sand- 
ford, Florida, and started an orange grove 
near that point. He remained in the South 
until July, 181)0, wiien he returned to Wis- 
consin, and located at Millston. 

Mr. Pulling is now engaged in raising 
cranberries, which business has become one 
of the leadinij industries of the States in 
which this fruit can be cultivated. He has 
l>een insti'umental in organizing a stock com- 
pany at that place for the purpose of estab- 
lishing a canning factory. He owns a small 
tract of land, which is improved with neat, 
substantial buildings. He still owns his 
property in Florida. In his political opin- 
ions he affiliates with the Democratic party. 
He is a consistent member of the Episcopal 
Church. 

Mr. Pulling was united in the holy bonds 
of marriage, April 9, 1885, at Merrillon, 
Wisconsin. Mrs. Pulling was born in Black 
liiver Falls, Wisconsin, November 3, 1868, 
and is a daughter of James E. and Adelia 
Patterson. The father now makes his home 
with Mrs. Pulling, and the mother is de- 
ceased. 

Three children have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Pulling: Gertrude, Bessie, antl Mai-y. 

|ARL C. POPE, of Black Kiver Falls, 
is a well-known lawyer and a prominent 
citizen of Jackson County. He was 
l)orn in Washington, Orange County, Ver- 
mont, July 22, 1834, and is a son vi Ralph 
and Mary (Richardson) Pope. The paternal 
ancestors were among the early settlers of 
Massachusetts. John Pope is the first Am- 
erican of the race of whom there is any I'ec- 



284 



BIOORAPHICAL HISTORY OP 



ord; liis name is found in the list of free- 
men of tlie General Court of the Massachu- 
setts Colonj, September 3, 1B34; lie was one 
of the Dorchester Colony which emigrated 
in 1629. This branch of the Pope family, 
known as the Dorchester Popes, to distinguish 
it from the Popes of other branches, per- 
formed an important part in the settlement 
of Massachusetts. Carl C. Pope is of the 
tenth generation in direct descent from 
the original John Pope. His grandfather, 
Thomas Pope, removed from New Hamp- 
shire to Orange County, Vermont, in 1799, 
where he passed the remainder of his life. 
Ralph Pope was born at Orange, Vermont, 
in 1802. In 1862 he removed to Minnesota, 
and settled in the town of Beaver, AVinona 
County, where he lived until death which 
came to him April 12, 1874. He was a 
highly esteemed citizen and a man of the 
strictest integrity of character. His wife 
was born December 6, 1805, and died March 
3, 1873; they were married in 1829, and to 
them were born six sons and three daughters: 
Ira, a lawyer by profession, who died in 
December, 1880; Sarah B., John F., a promi- 
nent attorney in his county; James R., Will- 
iam II. II., Mary L., -Ellen B. (deceased), 
Jacob, and Carl C, who is the third in order 
of birth. 

Judge Pope was educated at Green Moun 
tain Liberal Institute, South Woodstock, 
Vermont, and studied law with J. P. Kidder, 
of West Randolph; he was admitted to the 
bar at Chelsea in his native State in January, 
1856. He located at Black River Falls in 
the spring of the same year, so that it may be 
said that his entire professional career, thus 
far, has been in this place. He has been 
called by his fellow-citizens to assume the 
duties of many positions of honor and trust; 
he has lieon District Attorney, County Judge, 
member of the Assembly, and State Senate; 



he was a member of the Assembly in 1862, 
1863, 1877 and 1878, and of the Senate in 
1864 and 1865. During his term in the 
Senate he was chairman of important com- 
mittees, and was among the ablest and most 
industrious workers. In 1864 he was a 
member of the National Republican Conven- 
tion that nominated Abraham Lincoln for 
the Presidency of the United States, and took 
an active part in the canvass that followed. 
When in the Assembly in tlie session of 1877, 
he was chairman of the Judiciary Committee, 
and the Republican leader of the House. 
His friends had brought forward his name 
for the Speakersiiip of the House in opposi- 
tion to J. B. Cassady, but he declined to run, 
and Mr. Cassaday was accordingly placed in 
the chair. 

Judge Pope was reared in the school of 
Democracy, and affiliated with thac party 
until the beginning of the war of the Rebel- 
lion, but on the secession of the Southern 
States he became a tirm supporter of the 
administration, and affiliated with the Repub- 
lican party until 1884, when on account of 
its position on the tariff question he ceased 
to cast his ballot in its favor. 

Eminent as a lawyer. Judge Popo has 
attained no less celebrity in the field of litera- 
ture; his writings on the subject of the tariff 
are strong and forcible, and have been widely 
read; he has been a most attentive student of 
classical literature, and has not neglected the 
modern school; he is an indefatigable worker, 
and few men of his profession have combined 
so thorough a knowledge of law with so per- 
fect familiarity of history and belles-lettres. 
He has the lioiior to be a member of the 
famous Cobden Club of England, a distinc- 
tion of which he is entirely worthy. He 
was made a Mason at Black River Falls in 
1856, becoming a meml)er of Black River 
Lodge, No. 74; he is a charter member, and 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



285 



ras tlie first High Priest of the Black River 
Jliapter, No. 41, and he is a niemlierof Fort 
kVinnebago Coinniandery, No. 4, Knights 
Peinplar. 

On August 10, 1859, Judge Pope was uni- 
ed in marriage to MisB Ellen M. Hitchcock, 
, daughter of Captain James Hitchcock; she 
vas born and reared in West Troy, New 
iork. Her father was captain for many 
?ears of one of the steamers plying between 
rroy and New York city. Two children have 
(een born to the Judtje and his estimable 

o 

vife: Ralph C, the present City Clerk and 
. student of law in his father's office, was 
)orn March IG, 1807; Eugenia was born in 
L861, and became the wife of Edgar A. I^e 
Dlaire; her death occurred in 1885, and was 
I severe blow to her family and a great shock 
md sorrow to all who knew her. 

— ^^>4f^— 



mUGUST F. DANKEMEYER is an 

,\\ American by adoption, having; been 

'lf/)\i . 

^^ born in Prunswick, Germany, Septeni- 

)er 4, 1854. His parents, Christ and Jennie 

[)ankemeyer, were also natives of Germany, 

ind the mother died in the "Fatherland." 

Christ Dankemeyer emigrated to Amei'ica in 

L8G8. and settled in Sheboygan ('ounty, Wis- 

•onsin where he resided until 1881, coming 

it that time to Clark County. He is a farmer 

)y occupation, and has followed this calling 

ill his life. Py his first marriage three chil- 

Ireu were born: Jennie, August F., the sub- 

ect of this l)iographical notice, and Will. 

ile was again married to Elizaljeth Maiz, a 

lative of Germany, and of this union four 

ihildren were born: Minnie, John, Herman 

md Frank. 

Autrust F. is'the second child of the first 

narriage. He was but fourteen years of age 

vlion his father came to America. He ])as8ed 



a short time in Sheboygan County, Wiscon- 
sin, and then went to Houghton, Michigan, 
where he worked in the mills, did teaming, 
and followed railroading for a period of five 
years. In the year 1881 he removed to Clark 
County and settled on his present farm, which 
consists of 160 acres. He had purchated 
this land in 1879, and he now has forty-five 
acres under cultivation. It was a dense for- 
est, and the task of clearing and placing it 
under cultivation is no small one. It is by 
continued and diligent labor that Mr. Danke- 
meyer has been enabled to accumulate any 
means, as he started in life without any capi- 
tal and has received no help from his 
relatives. He affiliates with the Republican 
paity, and has served three years as chairman 
of the Town Board, and for one year he dis- 
charged the duties of Town Clerk. He is 
now clerk for his school district. He is a 
member of both the Masonic and Odd Fel- 
lows fraternities. 

In 1880 Mr. Dankemeyer was united in 
marriage to Miss Ida Baker, of Pensaukee, 
Wisconsin, and two children have been born 
to them — Freeman and Ida. Mrs. Danke- 
meyer died in 1883, and our subject was 
married a second time, in 1889, to Miss Car- 
rie Hanke, of Clark County, Wisconsin, and 

one child has been born of this union 

Martin. 



SSAAC N. ALLEN is a man whose in- 
tegrity of character is uiKpiestioned. Ho 
was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, June 
6, 1840, and is a son of Isaac S. and Eliza 
(Earl) Allen, natives of Ohio and Massachu- 
setts respectively. The parents were married 
in Ohio, and resided there until about 1S47 
when tbey emigrated to Dodge County, Wis- 
consin; in 1882 they removed to Loyal, Clark 



286 



BIOGRAPniCAL HI STORY OF 



County, where the mother passed away. Slie 
was a consistent member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and a woman of line ti-aits 
of character. Isaac S. Allen is still a resi- 
dent of Loyal; he is a shoemaker by trade, 
but has given some attention to agricultural 
pursuits. The family consisted of seven 
children: Lester, Sylvester, Henry, Eunice, 
Isaac N., the subject of this notice, Alice and 
Laura. 

The father being a farmer, the son naturally 
received training in this occupation; but when 
this beloved nation of ours was threatened 
witli death, and there was a call for men to 
come to her defense, Isaac X. Allen forsook 
the plow and left the fields of grain, and 
went bravely to the front. In August, 1862, 
he enlisted as a private in Company I, 
Twenty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, 
and served until the close of the war. He 
was honorably discharged at Rock Island, 
Illinois, July 18, 1865. He participated in 
the engagements at Port Gibson, Champion 
Hill and Vicksburg. For six months he 
was confined in the hospital at St. Louis, ex- 
periencing the suffering and privations to 
which the sick and wounded were subject. 

After the declaration of peace he settled 
in Clark County, Wisconsin, where he took 
up 160 acres of land, which was then covered 
by a dense forest. The task of converting 
this into tillable land was no light one, and 
required willing hands as well as strong de- 
termination. He cleared the land where 
Loyal now stands, and has eighty acres under 
cultivation. He has devoted his best ener- 
gies to farming, and has made many modern 
improvements, all bespeaking thrift and pros- 
perity. When we consider that Mr. Allen 
l)ecran his business career without capital 
other than that with which he was endowed 
by nature, our admiration and sincere respect 
are at once excited. Politically he is identi- 



fied with the Republican party. He is a 
member of the G. A. R. post at Loyal. He 
and his wife are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and are held in the highest 
estimation. 

Mr. Allen was united in marriage May 24, 
1868, to Miss Libbie Peep, of Clark County, 
Wisconsin, a native of England, born in 
1845, and a daughter of George and Louise 
I. (Loid) Peep. Three children have been 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Allen: Jennie, Pearlie 
and Charles. Mrs. Allen's parents were 
natives of Bristol, England; emigrated to 
this country in 1849, and settled in Depere, 
W^isconsin, where they resided until Mrs. 
Peep died in 1865, from which time Mr. 
Peep lived with his children until 1884, 
when he died in Appletou, Wisconsin. 



-S«S- 



fEFFERSON L. BUTTON, a prominent 
citizen of Irving, Jackson County, was 
born in Onondaga County, New York, 
March 24, 1839, the son of John Button, 
who was born in the sanae State in 1806. In 
1865 he came to Jackson County, Wisconsin, 
locating in the town of Irving, where he 
died at the age of sixty-seven years. He 
was a farmer by occupation, and politically 
was an Abolitionist. Our subject's mother, 
Emeline Soules, was born in New York in 
1804, and died in this county, at the age of 
sixty-three years. They were the parents of 
nine children, viz.: Louisa A., Albert A., 
Sarah E., Jefferson L., Sanford L., Myron B., 
John, Edwin and Eugene M., all of whom 
are still living. 

The subject of this sketcli, the fourth child, 
was reared and educated in his native county, 
and in 1861 enlisted in the late war, in Com- 
pany II. Twelfth New York Volunteer In- 
fantry, and participated in the hard-tbught 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTrES. 



287 



battles of Bull Run and Big Bethel, besides 
many minor engagements, lie was dis- 
cliarged August 5, 18()2, after which he re- 
turned to Onondaga County and remained 
until 1863. In that year lie came to Jack- 
son County, Wisconsin, locating in the town 
of Irving, where he now owns 260 acres of 
land in section 32. He carries on general 
farming and stock raising, giving his atten- 
tion principally to the rearing of blooded 
stock. Politically he is a Republican, and 
takes an active part in political matters. He 
is very popular in the community where he 
resides, and has held public offices ever since 
he came to the county, being now chairman 
of the town. 

Mr. Button was marrietl December 3, 
18C5, to Jane E. liorswill, who was I)orn in 
England, November 18, 1844, the daughter 
of William K. and Eleanor (Pearce) liors- 
will. Both parents were natives of England, 
and came to this country in 1848, locating in 
Marquette County, Wisconsin. In 1853 they 
came to Jackson County, and have spent 
their remaining days in Irving. The father 
was a farmer by occupation, and politically 
was a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Button 
have four children, viz.: Lenora E., Henry 
P., Prank L., Maud M. 



•J •! ■ <•> 

"—' a ' S '^^^^"^ — 

fOIIN E. MATTSON, a successful farmer 
of Jackson County, was born in Bristol, 
Kenosha County, Wisconsin, August 17, 
1852, the son of Ithiel Mattson, who was 
born in Chautauqua County, New York, in 
1813. When quite young he went to Penn- 
sylvania, where he worked principally on the 
St. Lawrence River. In 1848 he went to 
Kenosha County, and the same year came to 
Melrose, Jackson County, where ho died at 
the age of sixty-three years. He was a farmer 



by occupation. Politically he was a Repub- 
lican, and religiously a member of the AVill- 
ard Baptist Church. His father, Matt- 
son, came from Norway to this country at 
the age of nineteen years, landing in New 
York, where he took part in the Erench and 
Indian war. He was captured by the Indians 
and held a prisoner three years. He had a 
pocket compass, which was a wonderful thing 
to the Indians, and l)y working on their 
creilulity he made them believe that ho was a 
great medicine man, after which they gave 
him more freedom, by which he managed to 
conceal, a little at a time, provisions, arms 
and ammunition, and finally made his escape. 
He went to Pennsylvania, where he died at 
the age of sixty-seven years. He was a 
farmer by occupation. Our sulyect's mother, 
v(e Hannah J. Jackson, was of En£xlish ex- 
traction, and died in Melrose, Jackson County, 
at the age of thirty-two years. She was the 
daughter of General Andrew Jackson. They 
were the parents of two children, John E. 
and Prank O; the latter died at the age of 
two and a half years. 

John E. Mattson, our subject, was reared 
and educated in Jackson County, where he 
now has an interest in 220 acres of land in 
section IR, where he now resides. Politically 
he is a Prohibitionist, and religiously a mem- 
ber of the Baptist Church. Socially he is a 
member of the Good Templars' Lodge, No. 
222, at Melrose. 



^ENRY C. CALLENDER, of Irving, 
WX Jackson County, was born in Calhoun 
County, Michigan, August 23, 1848, 
the son of Dewey S. Callender, who was born 
in New York, December 26, 1800. He went 
to Calhoun County in 1836, and in 1804 
came to .lackson County, wiiere lie died at 



288 



BIOORAPniCAL niSTORT OF 



the age of eighty years. He was a farmer 
hy occupation, and politically was a Repul)li- 
can. He was a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Our subject's mother, 
Clarissa (Parker) Callender, was born in Ver- 
mont, and died in Jackson County, this State. 
She was a daughter of Lemuel and Esther 
Parker, both natives of Vermont, and of 
English e.\traction. They subsequently went 
to Calhoun County, Michigan, where they 
botli died. They were the parents of nine 
children, namely: Mary S., Delia E., Jolin 
M., Jared D., Emily Z., Fann}' C, Augusta 
A., Charles H. and Henry C. Three of these 
have died: Jared, Delia and Augusta. 

Our subject, the youngest child, was reared 
and educated on a farm in Calhoun County, 
Michigan. In 1864 he came with his father 
to Jackson County, this State, where he now 
owns 300 acres in sections 28 and 33. He 
gives considerable attention to stock-raising 
in addition to general farming. Politically 
he is a Republican. 

Mr. Callender was married April 26, 1874, 
to Ida E. Tiffany, a native of Illinois, who 
died February 16, 1875, in Jackson County, 
at the age of twenty years. Mr. Callender 
was again married April 29, 1876, to Inez 
A. Burrows, who was born in New York, 
August 21, 1854, the daughter of David and 
Betsy (Cargil) Burrows, natives of New 
York. They afterward came to Monroe 
County, Wisconsin, where they now reside. 
The father is a shoemaker by trade. Mr. and 
Mrs. Callender hadtwocbildren, both of whom 
died when young — Dewey S. and David B. 

••^' I ' SmS - ^" *^ 



ILEAZAR G A YLORD, a successful 
farmer of Jackson County, was born at 
Amherst, Massachusetts. In 1848 he 
moved to Medina County, Ohio, and in 1857 



came to Jackson County, Wisconsin, locating 
in the town of Melrose, where he still re- 
sides, at the age of sixty-live years. On first 
coming to this State he invested his money 
in a saw-mill, and later bought a little prop- 
erty, to which he added until he now owns 
600 acres, in company with his son, Elsworth 
A. They carry on general farming and stock- 
raising, but give especial attention to the 
raising of good stock. Their residence, which 
is built with all the modern improvements, 
is in section 20. 

Mr. Gaylord was married June 26, 1849, 
to Edith Ward, who was born in Medina 
County, Ohio, June 23, 1828, the daughter 
of Rev. Jacob and Lucinda (Robinson) Ward. 
The father was a native of Connecticut, and 
the mother of Massachusetts, but after their 
marriage they went to Medina County, Ohio, 
where they resided until 1859, then removed 
to Melrose, Jackson County, where they re- 
mained till 1869. Both died in Melrose in 
1869. Mr. and Mrs. Gaylord have had three 
children: Martha E., Martha J. and Elsworth 
A. The latter is a popidar young man, has 
taken an active part in the Prohibition party, 
and is also a member of the Town Board. 
He is now eng^aged in running the egg busi- 
ness in addition to his other farm duties. 



•^M^. 



fONES TOMPKINS, of section 34, town- 
ship 26, range 2 west, town of Eaton, 
Clark County, was born in Stillwater, 
Saratoga County, New York, on the Hudson 
river, twelve miles east of Saratoga Springs, 
June 2, 1826. His father, Elias Tompkins, 
a native of the same place, was a farmer by 
occupation, and a Jacksonian Democrat, po- 
litically. He was a son of Moses Tompkins, 
who was one of the men who helped to clear 
the ground where Saratoga Springs now are. 



CLAUK ANIJ JACKSON COUNTIES. 



289 



His (Miiployer was a Mr. Cadwoll. Our sub- 
ject's mother, also a native of New York, 
iiad twenty-two cliildren, fourteen of wlioin 
reached maturity, and seven are still living. 
Our sniiject has one half-sister living, three 
full sisters and three half-brothers. 

Jones Tompkins left home at the age of 
nineteen years, aud first worked several years 
at rafting logs from different points to New 
York during the summers, and in the fall 
would buy and ship stock and grain to New 
York city. He came to La Crosse in the 
spring of 1859, and the ne.xt winter worked 
on bridges in Arkansas and Mississippi. In 
1860 he prospected some, and then returned 
to Henry County, Hlinois, where during the 
summer, lie had charge of the cutting of a 
broom-corn field. In 1860 he went to Daven- 
port, Iowa, and worked in the taw-mills of 
his brother-in-law, Edward Lindsay, and in 
the fall of 1862 came to this county, where 
he commenced work in the pineries. He 
next became manager of the timber land of 
S K. Weston, who owned 28,000 acres in this 
county. In the sj)ring of 1866 Mr. Tomp- 
kins st'ttled on his present farm, which was 
then covered with timber. The county was 
at that time mostly tax-title land, and when 
he fonnd a good forty-acre tract he would 
purchase, and he now owns 040 acres, where 
he is engaged in general farming and stock- 
raising, and also deals in real estate. 

Mr. Tompkins was married January 7, 
1850, to Martha E. Lindsay, a daughter of 
ilobert D. Lindsay, wliose ancestors have pre- 
served the history of the family for linndreds 
ot years, i>eginning with William de Lind- 
say, in 1116, who was a son of Baron IJaldi'ic 
de Lindsa3',the Anglo- Norman, contemporary 
with the Conqueror, William, the Norman. 
Mr. and Mrs. Tompkins have had four chil- 
dren, only one of whom still survives, James 
E., who marrieil Frances Raymond, and they 

20 



have two children: Earl and Jones. Mr. 
Tompkins has been chairman of the Board of 
Supervisors, and also of the County Board 
three years. Politically he is a Demorcat, 
but votes for the man rather than the l>arty. 
Besides being a successful farmer and real- 
estate dealer, he is a breeder of regist(U-ed 
Jersey cattle and Oxford-down sheep, and is 
supplying this community with this excellent 
stock as fast as he can raise them. 



-.«^i-»,-*-i»~ij-^- 



O. FINCH. — Among the enterprising 
business men of Merillon, Wisconsin, 
* wo find the name of A. O. Fincli. 
He was born in Burlington, Wisconsin, Au- 
gust 3, 185t). His ancestors were New York 
people. His father, E. O. Finch, came West 
with a family of four children and located in 
Burlington. His education was obtained in 
New York and he was married at the early 
age of eighteen years. Although lie came to 
Wisconsin without means he continued work 
at his trade, that of carpenter, which he had 
leai-nod in New York, and provided a com- 
fortable support for his family. His death 
occurred in Alabama in 1884. 

When he was only thirt(*en year; old the 
subject of this sketch began to work on a 
farm in Waukesha County and continued iu 
the employ of one man for five years, work- 
ing in the summer and attending school in 
the winter, thereby gaining a fair education 
in the district schools. The first summer he 
i-eceived §8 per month. He subsequently 
went to Ilartland, where he engaged as a clerk 
in the mercantile l>asiness and served in that 
capacity tliree years. He afterward clerked 
two years in a general store in Juneau County, 
and for a time assumed management of the 
store. Then he spent one year on the Pacific 
coast. Mr. Finch came to Jackson County 



290 



BIOORAPUWAL HISTORY OF 



in 1887, and for three years and a halt' was 
eiiffaCTed as manaijer of a mercantile business. 
He then opened a store of his own in 
Merillon, has established a good trade and is 
doing a prosperous business. 

November 18, 1885, he married Emma 
Henry of Necedah, Wisconsin. She was 
educated in the public schools of Juneau 
County. They have one child, Leighton. 

^•^l- l '' l ' % *- 

jLFRED S. ARGYLE, superintendent of 
the business of the York Iron Com- 
W" pany at Thorp, was born in Derbyshire, 
England, July 18, 1845, the son of John and 
Sarah (Sheldon) Argylc, both natives of En- 
gland. They came to the United States in 
18fi4, staying some time in Batavia, Illinois, 
where his mother died. His father shortly 
afterward settled in Columbia County, Wis- 
consin, and her father two years later, in 1866. 
They had seven children, of whom five 
survive: Alfred. John, Arthur, Annie and 
Eleanor. 

The subject of this sketch came to the 
United States in the fall of 18G4, six months 
after his parents' arrival. After remaining a 
few days in Chicago he came to Portage and 
Caledonia, Columbia County, Wisconsin, 
where he remained twenty years. Next he 
removed to Black River Falls, and still 
makes this place his home. While in Cale- 
donia he was engaged in farming, and in 
Portage worked in the round-house of the 
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. In 
1886 he entered the employment of the 
York Iron Company as foreman of their 
yard, which position he held one year, and 
then for six months ran their blast engine; 
next superintended all their kilns throughout 
the country for one year, and then ran the 
same three months. He next came to Thorp, 



where he has since had charge of the yard 
and kilns, superinteudiig the burning of tha 
coal. He runs fourteen kilns, and turns out 
43,000 bushels a month. Mr. Argyle does 
this work on contract, and employs about ten 
men. 

He was married November 11, 1872, to 
Catharine Brisbois, a daughter of Gabriel 
Brisbois, of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, de- 
ceased. They have four children: Alfred S., 
Fergus G., Sarah A. and Edith Blanche. Mr. 
Argyle is a member of tlie Modern Wood- 
men. 



fOHN E. PETERSON, a prominent citi- 
zen of Black River Falls, succeeded Sam- 
uel D. Blake as Treasurer of Jackson 
County, January 1, 1877 : his second term and 
fourth year in this office expired January 1, 
1891, when he was succeeded by C. W. Van 
Gorden, a history of whom appears elsewhere 
in this volume. He has discharged the du- 
ties and obligations of this office with entire 
satisfaction to his constituency and to his 
own honor and credit; he also served as 
Sheriff of Jackson County in 1885-'86. 

If the reader will go back with us to the 
pine-clad hills of Norway we will there find 
the birthplace of Mr. Peterson, the year he 
was born being 1847; he early became ac- 
customed to the labors of agricultural life, 
and acquired an ordinarily good education. 
His father died when he was fourteen years 
of age, and his mother also died in her na- 
tive land, although she lived until after John 
came to America; he and an older sister who 
now resides in Norway are all that remain of 
the family. 

In 1869, when Mr. Peterson had reached 
his twenty-second year, he bade farewell to 
the scenes of his childhood and youth, and 



CLARK AND JACKSON CnUNT[Efi. 



;ni 



sailed away to America, wiiere lie believed 
lietter fortunes were in store for him. On 
Ills arrival here lie continued his journey to 
Li Crosse, Wisconsin, where he secured a 
position with C. J. Lambert, a large lumber 
dealer in tliat place; for several years he 
passed the summer in La Crosse, and durino; 
the winter season \w. had charge of a logging 
camp. Later on he was employed to hny 
grain f(jr the Green Bay & Winona Railroad, 
Mr. Lambert continuing his employer. When 
he decided to go into Inisiness on his own ac- 
t!omit he selected the town of Hixton as the 
scene of his operations, and it was not until 
tlie year 1884 tliat he removed to Black 
River Falls. 

Our subject was united in marriage at llix- 
t'ln to Miss Julia A. Rasmus, and five chil- 
Iren have been boi'n to them: Ella, Edmund, 
Ray, John W. and Eddie J. 

Mr. Reterson is an energetic, industrious 
lud prosperous citizen, and has won hosts of 
friends in his adopted country. For some 
time past he has made a specialty of breed- 
ing fast horses, and has several that have 
Ruined a reputation for more than ordinai-y 
^peed: Joel L.,a pacer, has a record of 2:22|, 
ind Minnie White Stone, a trotter, lias made 
2:27^. A well-equipped livery barn in Black 
River Falls is owned by our sulyect. 



tYMAN W. RODMAN, one of Clark 
County's successful farmers, resides on 
section 24, Pine Valley Township. lie 
was born near Zanesville, Muskingum Coun- 
ty, Ohio, October 28, 1828, son of Thomas 
Rodman of Vermont and Jane (Lenington) 
Rodman, a native of Ireland. lie was reared 
in Ohio and there received a very meager 
sducation, as lie had to work hard in tiie 
summer and could attend school only during 



the winter months. Before coming to Wis- 
consin Mr. Rodman worked on a farm in 
Illinois for a time. He was married, in 
December, 1850, near Torre Haute, Indiana, 
to Miss Deborah J. Fisher. In 1853 lie 
came to Clark County, Wisconsin. Here lie 
bought eighty acres of wild land which he 
has (levelo|)ed into a productive farm. Mr. 
Rodman has had an extensive experience in 
the lumber business, floating lumber rafts, 
etc., on the Black River, and when a young 
man he was an expert hunter. lie has killed 
as many as 119 deer in one season in the 
vicinity where he now lives. While iiunting 
bears he has had many norrow escajies, and 
can relate his thrilling experiences in a vivid 
and interesting manner. The last bear lie 
killed was in the fall of 1889, within sio-lit 

ri 

of iiis own home. During his lite he has 
killed forty-eight bears. Mr. Rodman is a 
woi-tliy and influential citizen. He has 
served the public as School Director for seven 
years, and was a member of the Town Board 
two years. 




B.LYMAN,M.D.,ofNeillsville,isa 
memlier of the well-known Arm of 
** Esch & Lyman, and was born at 
Lansing, Iowa, in 1855. His father. Rev 
Timothy Lyman, a well-known Congregational 
clergyman, was pastor of a church at Lansing 
for many years. He was born in Connecti- 
cut, graduated at A miierst College, and came 
West when a young man. He was married 
at Fort Madison, Iowa, to Miss Valeria Van 
Reed Rinehart, a native of Rennsylvania, 
who died in 1857. Rev. Timothy layman 
was twice married after the death of his rirst 
wife. He is a brother of Dr. John V. R. 
Lyman, of Eau Claire. 

The subject of this sketch began the study 



292 



BIOORAPHWAL BISTORT OF 



of medicine at Fort Madison, Iowa, in 1877, 
his preceptor being Dr. Frank Robei-ts, of 
that city, and part of tlie time he was also 
Hospital Steward at the Iowa State peniten- 
tiary at Fort Madison. He graduated at 
Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1880, as 
did also his brother. Dr. John V. K. Lyman. 
Soon after iiis graduation Dr. Lyman located 
at Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he was for 
some time associated with Dr. C. H. Pinnej 
of that place. In 1882 he removed to Eau 
Claire, Wisconsin, where he remained in 
practice until he came to Neillsvilie, in 1888. 
Dr. Lyman was married in 18S1 to Miss 
Bertha A. Terry, a native of the State of 
New York, but at the time of their marriage 
a resident of Cordova, Illinois. The Doctor 
and wife have two children: Walter and 
Irving. Dr. Lyman is a successful piiysiciaii, 
and the firm of Esch & Lyman iiave an exten- 
sive and lucrative practice. 



— ~^'•*g-^M^.^.-.o. — 

IJ^ENT PEDERSON, a wealthy agricultur- 
ist of Jackson Count}', has been one of 
tlie fortunate men wlio have had every 
effort crowned witii success. He is a native 
of Sweden, born December 1, 1830, and grew 
to manhood in his native land. When he 
was twenty-three years of age, he determined 
to go to the New World and seek out tlie 
fortune that might be in store for him. So 
he bade farewell to his home and friends, and 
sailed away over the sea, to the " land of the 
free and the home of the brave." The first 
three years in this country were spent in 
Dane County, Wisconsin, and thence, in 
1856, he came to Jackson County, and set- 
tled on 160 acres of raw land. The nearest 
trading point was Black River Falls, and the 
hardships and privations to which the early 
settlers were subject can scarcely be imagined 



in this day of railroads. Mr. Pederson has 
purchased, as his means would admit, addi 
tional acres, until he has altogether 440 acres, 
200 of which he has converted into a fine, 
fertile farm; he has erected comfortable 
buildings after modern styles of architecture, 
and has one of the most attractive homes in 
the community. He is a self-made man, and 
too much praise can not be bestowed upon 
the perseverance and determination he has 
exhibited. When he came to America he 
could not speak a word of English, and ilie 
only capital he had was that witii which he 
was endowed by nature, willing hands and a 
brave heart. 

Politically he is identified with the Repub- 
lican party. He has represented the pet)ple 
of his township in many of tiie offices within 
their gift, and has proved capable and efficient. 
He and his family are members of the Lu- 
theran Church, and take a dee]) interest in 
ail its movements. 

Mr. Pederson was married November 19, 
1861, to Anna Olsen, of Jackson County, 
Wisconsin. She was born in Norway, Octo- 
ber 20, 1844. Fourteen children have been 
born of this union, eight of wiioui are living: 
Olaus, Albert, Sophia, Caroline, Tilla, Ame- 
lia, Benny A. and Myrtle. Albert married 
Miss Amelia Tarkelson, of Black River Falls, 
Wisconsin, and they have had born to them 
one child, Basil. The other children are un- 
married. 



g^msERVILLE MASON, one ..f the 
fllfvfflt most worthy citizens of Pine Valley 
^^^ Township, Clark County, is a native 
of Scotland, born September 21, 1813. His 
father came to Massachusetts at an early day 
and spent the rest of his life in this country. 
Merville remai!!ed with his parents until ho 



OLAUK AND JACKSON VOUNTIES. 



293 



was fifteen years old. His education was 
obtained cliiefly tlirougli liis own efforts. 
He attended tiie institute at Clinton, Oneida 
County, New York, and devoted fifteen years 
of his life to the profession of teaching. In 
1863 Mr. Mason came to Clark County, Wis- 
consin, and bought 360 acres of land. Here 
he eu(>;a<:;ed in agricultural pursuits for many 
years. Since coining to this State he has 
also been engaged in civil engineering, teach, 
ing and in the lumber business. 

In 1849 Mr. Mason married Maria 
Pixiey, wlio was born in Massachusetts in 
1823. She received her early education in 
her native State and gniduated at Oberlin 
College, Ohio, in the class of 1847. She 
also taught school a number of years. During 
her life she was noted for lier kindness and 
intelligence. Mrs. Mason was an active 
worker in the cause of anti-slavery, woman 
suffrage and prohilntion, and was a conspicu- 
ous member of the W. C-. T. U. Seven chil- 
dren were born to them, six of whom are 
living, namely: Alice, Mary, Milo, Irvin W., 
Martha, Walter and Bertiia. All were thor- 
oughly eilucated by their mother who gave 
them private instructions. 

In his early life Mr. Mason was a strong 
anti-slavery man and bitterly fought the fugi- 
tive slave law. While living in Ohio he was 
instrumental in securing the liberty of many 
a slave. He was one of the airents of the 
" underground lailroad " of Wisconsin. He 
relates the followinur incident: One nicfht 
about twelve o'clock he was awakened to find 
a colored man and his family at the door. 
The poor run-away slave begged for help to 
make his escape into Canada, saying that the 
officers were in close pursuit of them. In 
the morning Mr. Mason went to a neighbor 
and told him the circumstances of this case. 
He, iiowever, would render no assistance. 
Tlien Mr. Mason called upon another neigh- 



bor and found him more lenient than the 
Republican. This last neighbor remarkeil 

that " if the d d slave iiad made his way 

this far he ought to be helped on" and gave 
$0 to aid in securing his passage to Canada. 
Mr. Mason is now well advanced in years. 
Much of his time is spent in i-eading and in 
scientific research, in which he takes great 
pleasure. 

UGUSTUS C. VAUGHAN, a hard- 
ware merchant and one of the enter- 
prising business men of JSeillsville, is 
a native of the Empire State. He was born 
August 23, 1850, and is the third son of the 
eleven children of David and Ellen Vaughan. 
All are living except two. With a family of 
seven, David Vaughan came to Wisconsin in 
1862 and located in La Crosse County, and 
was a member of the Assembly from La 
Crosse County. His father died in February, 
1890. His death occurred when Augustus 
was twenty- three years old, and it Ijecame 
liis «luty to help provide for the large family. 
He received his education in the common 
schools of La Crosse County and learned the 
blacksmith trade at West Salem, followinur 

o 

his trade until tiie time of his marriage. 
May 24, 1877, he wedded C. Delia Serviss. 
Her parents, natives of Canada, came to Wis- 
consin at an early date. William Gordon 
Serviss, her father, was an old soldier in the 
Thirtieth Wisconsin Regiment and served 
through the Rebellion, and is still living in 
this State. Mrs. Vaughan is well educated, 
and had taujjht school before her marriage. 

Mr. Vaughan came to Clark County in 
1883 and engaged in the hardware business 
with Charles Carter, at Neillsville. Liberal 
in his dealings and public-spirited in all 
beneficent causes, he has by close attention 



2Ji 



iJioaUArjncAL uitiruuy of 



tu business and strict integrity won a large 
circle of friends and secured a trade vvliicii is 
rapidly increasing. Was Supervisor of the 
Tliird Ward three years ago and served on 
various committees, lie is the vice-presi- 
dent and member of the board of directors of 
"The Neillsville Basket & Box Manufac- 
turing Company," located in Neillsville. lie, 
with other enterprising citizens, organized 
this new manufacturing company with a paid 
up capital of $15,000. R. Demhnrst, presi- 
dent ; II. N. Wither, Secretai-y ; C. C. Suite- 
man, Treasurer. 

— ~-'V^«f"i«— — ■ 

.ONOllABLE JOHN R. STURDE- 
VANT, of Neillsville, attorney and 
counsellor at law, is a representative 
of one of the pioneer families of Clark County> 
being a son of James W. Sturdevant, who 
settled in the town of Pine Valley, in June, 
1854. James W. is a native of Pennsylvania, 
born in Warren County, in September, 1816, 
where he grew to manhood. In 1842 he 
emigrated with his family to Jefferson Coun- 
ty, Iowa, and later to Lee County, same 
State. In 1854, as already stated, the family 
came to Clark County, and still reside on the 
farm on which they first settled, and which 
he purchased of the Government. He lias 
been prominently identified with the devel- 
opment of his town, and is an honest, up- 
right and worthy citizen. He was Town 
Treasurer when Clark County consisted of 
but one town, and was a member of the 
Board of County Commissioners for many 
years. His chief occupation in life has been 
farming, in which he has attained success. 
He has taken an important part in many im- 
provements, and has built by contract about 
eight miles of turnpike, constituting a part 
of the main Black River road. Mr. Sturde- 



vant has also attained considerable reputation 
as a successful bee-keeper, and has the honor 
of having brought into this county the first 
swarm of bees. On attaining to the years of 
manhood he was united in marriage to his 
present wife, Mary Ann French, who was 
born in Vermont, in August, 1817, but re- 
moved with her parents to the State of New 
Jersey, and thence to Warren County, Penn- 
sylvania. Considering their somewhat ad- 
vanced age, they are worthy representatives 
of the pioneer element of Clark County, that 
is now fast disappearing. They were the 
parents of six children, five sons and one 
daughter: the latter, named Nancy, died in 
childhood. There are three survivino; sons: 
the eldest, Robert S., is a lawyer by profes- 
sion, and now occupies the position of Cir- 
cuit Judge, and resides at Dayton, Columbia 
County, Washington. He is a member of the 
late constitutional convention of that State. 
James F. lives at the old homestead in Pine 
Valley. David Marshall, a deceased brother, 
died a number of years ago in Pine Valley, 
leaving a family. He was an energetic and 
successful business man, and a worthy citi- 
zen. Gilderoy, the other deceased brother, 
died in early manhood. 

John R. Sturdevant, the subject of this 
sketch, was reared on a farm, and educated 
in the public schools. He was about nine 
years of age when he came with his father's 
family to' Clark County. He served in the 
war of the Rebellion as a member of Com- 
pany I, Fourteenth AVisconsin Volunteer In- 
fantry, enlisting in 1863, and serving until 
the close of the war. He was mustered out 
October 'J, 1865. He served with his regi- 
ment in several important battles antl cam- 
paigns. He took f)art in Banks' unfortunate 
Red River campaign, serving in A. J. 
Smith's division, which covered Bank's re- 
treat. He was with his regiment at Mem- 



VLAHK AND JACKSON UOLfNTIBS. 



•J95 



jiliit*, Guiituwn, Spaiiisli Fort, Fort l>lal<esl(iy, 
Mol^ilu and at Xasliville, under tliu l)ravo 
(Tcnoral Tliumas. After returning from tlie 
army, lie attended school for a time, and then 
studied law with his brother, K. F. Sturde- 
vant. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney 
of Clark County in 1873, and three times re- 
elected to that position. Near the expiration 
of his foni'th term, or eiujht years, as Prose- 
cuting Attorney, he was elected to the ottice 
of County Judge, a jiosition lie occupied 
eight years, retiriiiij from that office January 
1, 1890, and is now engaged in general 
practice. 

Judge Sturdevant was married to Miss 
Mary E. Johnson, a native of Iowa, and they 
iiave one son, Claude K., now a student of 
law in his father's office. In his political 
views Judge Sturdevant is a Repuhlican. 
lie is a lawyer of acknowleilgcd ability, and 
a progressive, enterprising citizen. 



tEVl AIUyllER, deceased, was born in 
Ontario County, New York, in 1835. 
He located in Clark County, Wisconsin, 
in 1855, becoming one of the pioneers of the 
State In early life he h^ariKHJ the black- 
smith trade, which he followed in Indiana for 
some time prior to his coming to Wisconsin. 
He worked at his trade awhile in this State, 
l)ut up to the time of Ids death he was presi- 
dent of Clark County IJank. 

He was married January 10, l'S58, and to 
him and his wife one son was born. This 
son, Frank, is now twenty-two years of age 
and is a clerk in a Neillsville l)aiik. Mr. 
Archer died in 1889, leaving a large farm in 
section 35, Pine Valley Township, to his 
widow and son. They occupy this place, and 
Mr. Archer's mother, a lady well advanced 
in years, makes her home with them. Mrs. 



Rosisla R. Archer is a kind and intelligtnt 
lady atid is surrounded by a large circle of 
friends and ac(juaintances. 

til « ,. «^ 

"^-V^Mf-^— 

(HARLES T. HASKIN has been identi- 
3K, tied with the agricultural and lumber 
nterests of Clark County since 1871. 
He is a native of Chautauqua County, New 
York, born Feliruary 21, 1841, and is a son of 
William and Aurilla (Vosbnrgh) Ilaskiii, also 
natives of the EmjjireState. The pai-ents emi- 
grated to Wisconsin in 1847, and settled in 
Waukesha County, at the town of Waukesha, 
where t\\ey resideil until 1857; thence they 
removed to Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, 
where the father passed the remainder of his 
days; the mother is still living, at the age of 
seveiity-si.\ years. Mr. Haskins died in 1883, 
aged seventy-one years. He was a carpenter 
by trade, but in the later years of his life de- 
voted his tim(> to farming. The family con- 
sistecl of five children: Horace, Elizabeth, 
William E., Charles T. and Frank H. 

Charles T., the sul)ject of this notice, was 
a young child when his parents brought him 
to the wilds of the frontier, and there he 
grew to manhood, surrounded by all the 
vicissitudes and privations of pioneer life. 
He received his first lessons in the primitive 
log school-house, and during the vacations 
assisted his father in the work at home. 
When he was sixteen years old ho went with 
his parents to Fond du Lac County, and there 
he boiran farmiii": on his own account. He 
remained tlierc^ until 1871, and then came to 
Clark County, and i)urchased eighty acres of 
timl)er land which be has since made his 
home. As his means wouhi admit he has 
invested in land until he now owns 280 acres, 
situated (^n sections II and 12, Heaser Town- 
shili and section .JI. Oreen (irove Township. 



29C 



bioghai'iiical ih^touy of 



Fifty acres of this land have been converted 
from the wild state in which nature left them, 
to one of advanced cultivation. To accom- 
plis^h this has been an undei'taking of no 
small magnitude. It should be remembered, 
too, that Mr. Haskin has been unaided by 
any iinancial assistance in his business, and 
that all his success is due to his own merit. 

In 1864, December 15, this worthy gentle- 
man was united in marriage to Miss Mary R. 
Woodworth, of Fond du Lac County. She 
WHS born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, October 
17, 1846, and is a daughter of Harvey and 
Emaline (Brush) Woodworth, natives of the 
State of New York. They removed to Wis- 
consin in 1844, and located in Milwaukee; 
thence they went to Fond du Lac County, 
and about tlie year 1874 they moved to Ne- 
braska, where they are now making their 
home. 

Mr. and Mrs. Haskin have had born to 
them live children: Laura, deceased; Kosa, 
William, John and Charles T. 

— ~^'V'^^^^^*'-•~ — • 



^N DREW HEATH, a farmer of Fremont 
Township, Clark County, Wisconsin^ 
was born in St. Lawrence County, New 
York, December 9, 1833, the eldest son of a 
family of eight children, five sons and three 
daughters. His father was a Vermont farnier 
of the hardy and sturdy class, and settled in 
St. Lawrence County, in wilderness times. 
Andrew's mother, whose maiden name was 
Rebecca Seaver, was one of eleven children, 
two sons and nine daughters. Both families 
were of English extraction, and trace their 
ancestry through a number of generations. 
Jehiel Heath, the father, was a man of sturdy 
traits of character. Of the sous, Henry and 
Martin answered the call of their country at 
the lircaking out of the Rebellion and entered 



the service, Henry enlisting in Company J, 
Eighth New York Cavalry, and Martin in 
Company G, One Hundi-ed and Sixth New 
York Lifantry. Henry was wounded and 
died from the effects of his injuries Septem- 
ber 12, 1862, while Martin served out the 
time of his enlistment and now lives in 
Wood County, this State. Horace, the other 
living son, and the remaning one of the living 
sisters (Mrs. Sarah Rollins) live near the 
home of the subject of this sketch in the 
township of Fremont. Their parents came 
West in 1867, settling in the township of 
Grant, but later took up a homestead in wliat 
was then the township of Lynn, a portion of 
which has since been erected into the town- 
ship of Fremont. Jehiel Heath died in 1876, 
a long sufferer from chronic diarrhea; but 
his wife is still living and in the enjoyment 
of fair health. Their eldest daughter lived 
to womanhood, married Philander Chase, 
reared four children and died in 1862, five 
years before her parents came West. 

October 1, 1863, Mr. Andrew Heath mar- 
ried Miss Paulina Kennedy, who was born in 
Essex County, New York, in 1839, and she 
was one of a family of five sons and six 
daughters: the early progenitors of her father 
came from L'eland. Her grandfather was a 
Protestant and an early pioneer of Essex 
County. Mrs. Heath's eldest brother, in 
1863, during the late civil war, enlisted, was 
shot through the lungs by a rebel liuUet, re- 
turned home and lived twelve years, though 
never rol)ust in health. Mrs. Heath and her 
sister Ellen were teachers in New York State, 
in their younger days, at a time when " board- 
ing around" was the custom for teachers. 
Mrs. Heath taught nine terms in Essex 
County, and continued in the profession for 
eight yeais after coming to Clark County. 
Here she was the tirst to teach pnlilic school 
in the town of I'^remont, using a room in her 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIKH. 



297 



own house the first winter, as the school- 
house was not built until the s-pring t'oUow- 
ino;. She was a nieniher of the Baptist 
Church at Jay, Essex County, New York, 
anil also of the choir there. Her motlier's 
lainily came from a long line of English an- 
cestry by the name of Parish, and they first 
settled at Plattsburg, New York. At the 
time of the battle of Plattsburg her motlier 
was four years of age, and to the day of her 
death bore a distinct remembrance of many 
incidents on that memorable day. On her 
lather's side her ancestry were long-lived. 
Her father lived to the age of eiglity years, 
and two of his brothers ))assed tlie ninetieth 
mile-post. All throu<i;h Mr. Heath's life in 
Clark County he has taken an active interest 
in local and county affairs, as Town Clerk, 
Supervisor, etc. He has three daughters, 
namely: Effie, born June 26, 1865, and now 
the wife of Henry Davis; Lessie, the second 
dauglitei', was born September 11, 1868; and 
AUie, the youngest, December 2, 1873. The 
last two were married on the twenty-seventh 
anniversary of the marriage of their jjarents, 
October 1, 1890; the former to Sherwin 
Davis and the latter to Adelbert Jjovell. Effie 
and Lessie lioth commenced teaohing school 
at about the age of sixteen years and are 
following the jjrofessioti at the present time. 

— ^°HI^ ^ ' ^ ^^"°• — 



fOSEPH GIBSON, a farmer an.l stock- 
raiser of Section 16, Hixton, was l)orn 
in Kingsey, Quebec, Canada, April 80, 
1848, the son of Alexander and Margaret 
(Brown) Gibson. The former, a native of 
Tyrone, Ireland, came to Canada when eight 
years of age; tlie latter died when our sub- 
ject was ten years of age. They weie the 
parents of eleven children,, seven of whom 



are still living, viz.: James, Elizabeth, Will- 
iam, Robert, Joseph, Emma and Alvira. 

The subject of this sketch left home April 
30, 1858, when ten years of age, and two 
weeks later reached La Crosse, in company 
with another lad, they having run away fi-om 
home. He did chores for board for Phineas 
Hurd, who was murdered by the Indians the 
following summer in Minnesota, where he 
had gone to take up land. Mr. Gibson then 
lived with a Mr. Baker in La Crosse four 
years, and dui-ing all that time received fifty 
cents, the only money he had ever received 
in this country. He then learned the l)utch- 
er's trade, Imt only followed it eight montlis, 
after which he worked in a saw-mill. Soon 
after this he began working in the woods in 
the winter and driving logs in the summer. 
lie was a noted log-rider, for which he re- 
ceived good wages. He was specially adapted 
to breaking jams on i-iver banks, and when 
nineteen years old Itegan running for Bri.rht 
& Withee, and was tlieir foreman two years. 
They subsequently took him as a partner on 
contracts. In 1871 he began logginir for 
himself, in which lie has ever since continued. 
Mr. Gibson settled on his present farm in 
April, 1872, which was at that time covered 
with timber, with no one but Indians for 
neighbors. Mrs. Gibson saw but two while 
women in three months, and taught several 
Indian women how to make clothing. AVlien 
Mr. Gibson came to this county there was 
not a tree cut, and he first lived in a tent in 
the thick forest. He has been wonderfully 
successful, having begun a penniless boy, and 
now owns 480 acres in one tract and also an- 
other tract of 320 acres. At one time he 
had 8,000 acres in Taylor County, Wisconsin. 
He is running two camps this winter, and 
has put in as high as 12,000,000 feet in one 
season. He lumbered six winters in copart- 
nership on the land of Hon. W. T. Price. 



BIOORAPUWAL HISTORY OF 



Mr. Gibson was married July 8, 1869, to 
Matilda C, daughter of Henry and Mary 
(Armstrong) Sperbeck. The t'oriner is de- 
ceased, and tlie latter now lives with her 
daughter, at the age of seventy-nine years. 
She is a native of New York State, near Al- 
bany. Mri=. Gibson was born in Lorain 
County, Ohio, September 28, 1849. Her 
parents had six children, live of whom are 
still living: James, John, Wallace, Johanna 
and Matilda. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson have 
two children: Lew, born May 18, 1872, and 
Blanch E., June 8, 1875. Mr. Gibson has 
held the office of Assessor two years, was 
chairman si.x years, and was a member of the 
State Board of Commissioners that built the 
State road passing his farm. He also served 
in the late war, in Company G, Twelfth 
Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was in 
the siege of Savannah, and was with Sher- 
man in his march to the sea. He became 
sick, but refused to go to the hospital; he 
was but fifteen years of age when he enlisted. 
His companion, with whom he ran away 
from Canada, was also a soldier, but in the 
Sixth Wisconsin, and was killed at the battle 
of tiie Wilderness. Mr. Gibson is a member 
of the Masonic order, being a Sir Knight, 
and is also a member of the G. A. K. ; and 
religiously his wile is a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. Politically JVIr. Gib- 
son is a Kepublicun. 



kERNARI) J. BROWN, of section 9, 
township 28, range 3 west, town of 
Witiiee, and also a pioneer of the town, 
was born near Rutland, Vermont, October 
16, 1841, a son of Peris Brown, a native of 
the same place, and now of Augusta, Eau 
Claire County, Wisconsin. \\^' emigrated to 
McHeury County, Illinois, in 1842, settling 



in Coral Township, five miles west of Hunt- 
ley Grove. In 1856 they removed to Black 
River Fails, this State, where the father en- 
gaged in the hardware business until 1871, 
when they removed to Augusta, where they 
now reside. Our subject's mother was form- 
erly Achsah Parks, a native of Vermont. 
The parents had seven children, namely: 
Helen, now Mrs. Harrison Marshall, of Neills- 
ville; Edna, now Mrs. Peter Gwin, of Loyal, 
this county; Bernard, our subject; Benjamin 
F., of Minneapolis; Emeline, now Mrs. A. 
S. Eaton, of St. Paul; Mary, who married 
C. F. Stone, of West Superior, Wisconsin; 
and Edward P., of West Superior also. 

The subject of this sketch i-eceived his 
education in Hnntley and Black River Falls, 
where he also followed carpentering. He 
enlisted in the late war, in Company G, Fifth 
Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, serving nine 
months. He was in the battles of Hatcher's 
Run, February 6, 1865; Petersburg, Vir- 
ginia, March 25, 1865; Petersburg again, 
April 2, 1865; Sailor's Creek, April 6, 1865, 
and many others. He came out without 
having received a wound, and after the war 
returned to Black River Falls, where he re- 
sumed his trade. In the fail of 1871 he 
came to this county and took a homestead of 
160 acres, his present home, and in January, 
1872, brouglit his family to this place. He 
built a round-log cabin, with shake roof, 
which lie occupied several years, or until he 
erected a hewed-log house, where he lived 
until 1883. He then built his present large 
frame residence, 20 x 30 feet, with additions 
12 X 18 feet, and one and a half stories high, 
with a cellar under the latter part. He owns 
120 acres of land, of which forty acres are 
cleared. Mr. Brown was the first Postmaster 
of Winnieoka, having been appionted in 
1874. The postoilice was at his house, and 
was also the first postoffice west of Long- 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



39U 



wood. lie also added a stock of general 
iiiercliaiidise to tins otKce, and traded with 
the settlers and Indians. The wild animals 
were numerous, and Mr. Brown established 
a deer lick, wliere he killed many animals, 
which afforded him plenty of venison. He 
once shot a deer from the window of a neigh- 
Ijor's house, while sitting in a rocking-chair, 
and often shot them through the cracks of 
his barn. 

He has been a member of tlie Town Board 
two terms, School Clerk several years, and 
Town Treasurer one year. lie is a member 
of the G. A. R., and was Commander one 
year of Asbra Welcome Post, No. 163, of 
Thorp. Mrs. Brown is a member of the W. 
R. C. Of Mr. Brown's early exjjcriences in 
this county, one is especially worthy of men- 
tion : There were no roads here except 
loffiii'ie roads, and those were cut tJirough 
by settlers. He started to Greenwood with 
his mule team for supplies, and upon reach- 
ing Black River found it very high, with a 
jam of logs across the ford. He left the 
wagon and harness, went up the river a short 
distance, and after much hai-d work suc- 
ceeded in pushing one mule into the rivei-. 
He jumped upon his i)ack, the other mule 
following, and in this way swam across. He 
secured his supplies, carried them across on 
the jam, and swam the mules across to this 
side. 

Mr. Brown was married in Buffalo, New 
York, November 15, 1805, to Arvilla, daugh- 
ter of Elijah and Judith Folsom. The 
parents had four children, three of whom 
siill survive: Uexter, of Erie CouTity, New 
York; Jeanette, now Mrs. A. Le Claire, of 
Black River Falls, Wisconsin; and Rosett, 
now Mrs. T. W. Letson, of Buffalj, New 
York. Mr. and Mi-s. Brown have thn^e 
children: Nettie A., born May 25, ISbS; 
Roy B., April 18, 1873; and Winnie E., Oc- 



tober 13, 1877. Nettie m.irried Irvin A. 
Jackson, of Eau Claire County, ami they 
have one child named Vilas II., and born 
July 18, 1890. 




g^(gl^ILLIAM RESEBURG, chairman of 
the Town Board, and a resident of 
section 15, town 28, range 3 west 
(Withee Township), was born in the Province 
of Pommern, Prussia, August 9, 1845, the 
son of Ludwig and Caroline (Berg) Rese- 
burg, both natives of Prussia, and now of 
Sheboygan County, Wisconsin. The father 
brought his family to the United States in 
1856, settling in the town . of Schleswig, 
Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, which was 
then covered with timber, and they were also 
among wild animals and Indians. They were 
j)oor, and all had to work hard. They were 
the parents of nine children: William, Charles, 
Caroline, Otto, Bertha, Louis, Julius, Annie 
and Minnie (twins). 

The subject of this sketch received but six 
months' schooling in the English language, 
the rest having been obtained by hard study, 
and he now has a fair English education. Ho 
remained in Manitowoc County until twenty 
years of age, when he traveled through the 
States of Iowa and Nebraska, spending ten 
months in Independence, Iowa. He then 
went to Menominee, Michigan, and worked 
in a sawmill during the summer and in the 
pineries in winters for three years. He then 
returned to this State and bought a home- 
stead, which he farmed two years. In the 
spring of 1879 he came to this county, set- 
tling on his present farm, which was then 
covered with timber. lie owns 200 acres of 
land, and thirty-eight is cleared. He has 
worked hard on (his jilace, and for dve years 



300 



BIOORAPEWAL HISTORY OF 



lived in a log cabin, after which he built his 
present house. 

Mr. Reseburg was married August 17, 
1S79, to Albertine Thiel, daughter of Will- 
iam Thiel, of Manitowoc County, AVisconsin. 
Of their three children, two still survive, 
namely: William, born April 3, 1883, and 
Anna, born June 14, 1887. Mr. Reseburg 
was the Hrst chairman of the Town Board 
in thi(^ townsiiip, which oftice he tilled six 
years. 



to P> E RT SC 11 F I E L D, a prominent 
farmer, stock-raiser and lumberman of 
section 8, township 26, range 2, Eaton 
Township, Clark County, was born in Dryden 
Township, Tompkins County, New York, 
February 2, 1836, the son of Baxter J. Scho- 
tield, deceased, a native of Connecticut. The 
latter was a son of Baxter J., Sr., who was a 
soldier in the Revolutionary war. Our sub- 
ject's mothei-, 7t,ee Charlotte English, was a 
native of Dryden, Tompkins County, New 
York, and a daughter of Hezekiah Tomp- 
kins, also a soldier in the Revolutionary war, 
and of English ancestry. Mr. and Mrs. 
Schotield had ten children, five of whom still 
survive: Joel, Hezekiah, Robert, Keziali J. 
and Cliarlotte. 

The subject of this sketch remained with 
his parents until he was thirteen years of 
ao'e, when he left home and commenced to 
do for. himself. lie worked in saw-mills at 
various points in New York State, and after- 
ward went to Paw Paw, Van Buren County, 
Michigan, in 1852, where he also worked in 
the saw-mills. In 1853 he came to Two 
Rivers, Manitowoc County, AVisconsin, where 
he was sawyer in Harvey & Stnoke's mills 
for some time. In 1855 he came to this 
county, and worked in the woods in the 



Black River, where he rafted and sawed logs. 
In 1863 he engaged in business for himself, 
and now owns 400 acres of land, of which 
150 acres are improved. His barn is 56 x 110 
feet, and 26 x 22 feet posts, and from the 
ground to the comb is tifty-four feet. His 
house is one of the finest in the county. 

Mr. Schotield was married in 1870 to Al- 
raeria Burt, a daughter of Reuel Burt, de- 
ceased. They have three children: Grace, 
Hugh and Almeria. Mr. Schotield is a mem- 
ber of the I. O. O. F., subordinate encamp- 
ment, and in his political views is a Repub- 
lican. Mrs. Schotield is a Baptist religiously, 
and is an accomplished teacher of vocal 
music. Mr. Schotield owns and occupies one 
of the best equipped dwelling-houses in the 
county, which contains all the modern con- 
veniences 



AVID H. WILLIAMS was born in 
England in 1846, son of Ethan and 
Mary Williams. His parents both lived 
to be seventy years old, and died in England. 
He came to America in the fall of 1865, and 
located in Albany, Green County, AVisconsin, 
where he remained about nine years. Like 
many others who sought a home in our free 
America, Mr. Williams came here without 
money and was dependent upon his own ex- 
ertions for a livelihood. He began work at 
$20 per month, and in the woods earned $40 
a month. For several years he spent the 
winters in the woods, and the summers at 
farm work. Wiiile in Green County he was 
raaried, in 1876, to Elizabeth Loyd, who is 
seven years his junior. She is also a native 
of England, was brought to this country 
when four years old, and received her educa- 
tion in Green County, AVisconsin. One child 
has been l)orn to them, which at this writing 
is four years old. 



CLARK Ahl) JACKSON GOUI^TIEH. 



aoi 



Mr. Williams landed in Clark Connty witli 
his wife and with a capital of only $16. He 
worked faithfully, and about thirteen years 
ago bought the farm upon which he now re- 
sides. It consists of 200 acres, and is located 
two miles from Neillsville, in section 22, 
Pine Valley Township. lie is one of the 
many who have come to this country without 
means, and by their own industry have 
possessed themselves with comfortable homes 
and have risen to positions of wealth and in- 
fluence. His farm is a valuable one, and is 
well stocked with cattle, sheep, etc. While 
Mr. AVilliams is a Kepublican, lie believes in 
votino; for the man rather than the ]>arty. 



I»-*3t-— — 



H.EP.RE, Superintendent of the County 
Farm of Clark County, was born in 
1' Denmark, August 4, 1887, and is a 
son of Hans and Boddel (flansen) Ebbe, also 
natives of Denmark. The father was a 
farmer by occupati(jn; he died in 184:7, am} 
the mother was called to her eternal rest in 
1883. They were the parents of ten children: 
Robert, John, Hans, Louis, John, C H., our 
subject, Nelley, Hannah, Anna, and an in- 
fant, deceased. The three eldest sons served 
in the Danish army, and Louis and C. H. 
served the King of Denmark, Frederick the 
VII, as body guards. 

Mr. Ebbe was raised in his native land, and 
there received the substantial education which 
that Government furnislies to all lier subjects. 
It was not until 18G3 that he bade farewell 
to the scenes of his childhood, and set sail 
for America. After landing he came at once 
to Jefferson County, Wisconsin, and secured 
work on a farm by the month; at the end of 
the first year he lemoved to Dane County, 
Wisconsin, and there worked a farm on the 
shares for two years. By that time he had 



saved some money which he decided to invest 
in real estate; he went to Wood County, Wis- 
consin, and purchased forty acres of forest, 
which he cleared and [daced under cultiva- 
tion. For seventeen years he has had inter- 
ests in tlie logging of the lumber regions for 
which Wisconsin is noted. 

In 1880 he came to Clark County, and 
bought forty acres on section 27, York Town- 
ship, which he cleared up and improved with 
substantial buildings. In 1886 he had the 
honor to be elected by the County Board of 
Supervisors, Superintendent of the County 
Poor Farm; he has been faithful to the trust 
reposed in him and has shown much ability 
in his management of ihe same. Poliiically 
he atliliiites with the Republican party, and 
is a strong adherent to its ])rinciples. He is 
a member of Lodge No. 1U8, I. O. (). F., of 
Neillsville. 

Mr. Ebbe was married June 25, 1862, to 
Miss Mai'y Larson, a native of Denmark, who 
died December 1, 1863; one child was borti 
of this union, Mary. Mr. Eiibe was acain 
married Marcli 1, 1864, to Mary Sorenson, 
also of Danish birth, the date being Novem- 
ber 11, 1835; she is a daughter of Sorenson 
and Anna (Peterson) Nelson, natives of Den- 
mark. The apparent conti-adiction in the 
names of th(*se persons is explained by a cus- 
tom peculiar to Denmark. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ebbe had born to them two 
sons: Hans died at the age of eighteen years, 
and John is a farmer of York Township; he 
was united in marriage in 1890 to Miss 
Mildred Steinfeldt. 

— — g - 3 .. ; - 5 .>^ — 



[^IllAM PALMER was born in Lewis 
County, New York, May 25, 1833, son 
of Harvey and Emelirio Palmer, both 
now deceased Th(>y came to Wisconsin in 



yo3 



BIOOBAPEICAL fllSTORi" OF 



1856 with a family of six children, four of 
wliom are still living. The subject of this 
sketch, in the year 1851. when only eighteen 
years old, came to Clark County, this State, 
and began life as a teamster, drawing logs. 
His education was obtained in the common 
schools of New York. For many years after 
coming to Wisconsin he made logging his 
especial business, the first year clearing 
$1,100. Previous to that year he had failed 
in an enterprise, but was afterward able to 
pay up every cent of his indebtedness and be 
even with the world again. As the result of 
his own industry and economy he is now the 
owner of a nice little farm of eighty acres, 
located on section 16, Tine Valley Township. 
In 1860 Mr. Palmer was married to a Miss 
Tucker, who was born August 6, 1833. Her 
fatiier and mother both died in the State of 
New York. Of the three children that have 
blessed this union, two were educated in the 
public schools, and one died in infancy. The 
oldest son, Weston Palmer, was married to 
Miss Katie Malston, and is now a resident of 
Neillsville. The daughter, Jessie, is married 
to I>. A. Scott, of Duluth, Wisconsin. Mr. 
Palmer is now chairman of the Board, which 
position he has continuously held for fifteen 
years. He has been Sheriff of Clark County 
one term. Politically he is a Democrat. 

lel ■ » ! > ■ g l | T « / 1 1 1 i n 



fACOB ASTOR JOHNSON, one of the 
mt)st respected citizens of Melrose, was 
born in Otego, New York, a son of Jacob 
and Betsey (^Davidson) Johnson, who were 
natives of Berkshire County, Massachusetts. 
His paternal grandfather, Barachiah Johnson, 
was also a native of the same county. His 
maternal grandparents were Richard and 
Elizabeth (Beach) Davidson, the former a 
native of Hartford County, Connecticut, and 



the latter of New York. The two grand- 
fathers were in the Revolutionary vvar. Our 
subject has four brothers and three sisters, 
namely: John J., William L., Delevan, Bara- 
chiah, Lydia, wife of Amon Taylor, of New 
York; Olinda, wife of Henry Richards, of 
New York; Betsey, wife of John Taylor, of 
New York. 

Mr. Johnson spent most of his early life in 
his native State. Four years and a half he 
lived in Massachusetts, and while there 
reached his majority, and there cast his first 
vote, it being for General William Henry 
Harrison, the ninth President of the United 
States. 

In 1857 he caiue to Wisconsin, locating in 
Melrose Township, Jackson County, where he 
engaged in the lumber business. He built 
the first saw-mill of any consequence in Mel- 
rose Township, in which he afterward took 
an interest. Three years afterward the mill 
was destroyed by fire. Mr. Johnson had de- 
voted his spare hours to the study of law, 
a,nd was admitted to the bar in 1858. His 
fellow-citizens, recognizing his efficiency, 
elected him District Attorney in 1862, and 
at the ensuing election in 1864 he was re- 
elected to the same office. When he first 
came to this county few improvements had 
been made, and it possessed no railroad ad- 
vantages. He has taken an active interest in 
the politics of the county; has been chairman 
of the Board of Supervisors of Melrose Town- 
ship, and ex-otficio member of the County 
Board, and for one year chairman of the 
County Board of Supervisors. 

He is temperate in all things, and on the 
question of temperance he is radical; and to 
these views and his firm convictions the vil- 
lage of Melrose owes much of its sobriety and 
prosperity. Away back in 1852, in the early 
organization of the Good Templars, he con- 
nected himself with that order, and was a 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



303 



delegate from Flj Creek Lodge. Otsego 
County, New York, to the first grand lodge 
meeting ever lield, wliicli convened at Itliaca, 
New York, wlien a new and complete ritnal 
of tlie order was made. He volunteered to 
take tlie first initiatory service for the pur- 
pose of demonstrating the workings of the 
new ritual. In 1865 he organized Melrose 
Lodge, No. 222, I. O. G. T., which has now 
over fifty members, including himself and 
family. In 1867 he was elected Grand 
Councilor of the Graiid Lodge of Wisconsin, 
when he began lecturing in the interest of 
temperance, and organizing lodges in differ- 
ent counties in the State. lie ha.s organized 
between 150 and 200 lodges, and by his elo- 
quence and earnestness induced thousands to 
connect tliemselves with this great temper- 
ance order, which lias saved hundreds from 
filling drunkards' graves. Many happy homes, 
filled with the comforts of life, can be traced 
back to the influences of this benevolent or- 
ganization. Three attempts have been made 
in Melrose to carry on a liquor trade in con- 
nection with other lines of business, but 
meetings were held by the good citizens, Mr. 
Johnson being a leading spirit in such meet- 
ings. Resolutions would be passed l)oycotting 
the merchant, and he would, like the Arab, 
fold up his tent and silently steal away. So 
tiie township of Melrose has never been 
cursed by the sale of licpior. 

May 3, 1846, Mr. Johnson married Miss 
Matilda Herkimer, daughter of Henry G. and 
Silvia (Martin) Herkimer, who was born in Her- 
kimer County, New York, wiiich was named 
after Mrs. Johnson's great-grandfather, who 
was a member of the Safety Committee in 
the time of the Hevolutionary war. Mr. 
Johnson has had the following named chil- 
dren: Orinda S., now the wife of Sidney K. 
Davis, of Clark County; Mary B., wife of 
Lewis B. Marsh, of the same county; the 



youngest, Carroll B., a thoroughgoing young 
business man now filling the responsible po- 
sition of bookkeeper in the First National 
Bank at Stevens' Point, Wisconsin. 

Mr. Joimson was for many years a Repub- 
lican, and was closely identified with the for- 
nuition of that party. Ho is now a strong 
Prohibitionist, or third-party man. During 
his long residence in the county he has ever 
sustained a reputation for integrity and good 
citizenship, and his voice has alwaj's i)een 
iieard advocating principles of morality atid 
temperance. The world is better by having 
such men livinir in it. 



^ELSON MARSH, a farmer residing on 
f/J section 11, Grant Township, Clark 
C!ounty, was l)orn in Middletown, Penn- 
sylvania, August 14, 1828. His father, a 
native of New York State, died in February, 
1853. Nelson was reared in Middletown, 
where he received the benefits of a fair edu- 
cation. He worked with his father in the 
cooper and shoe shops until 1853, the time of 
his father's death. 

December 15, 1851, Mr. Marsh wedded 
Amanda R. Taylor, who was born September 
1, 1831. To them seven children have been 
l)orn, six of whom are living, namely: Joseph, 
Lewis, Malvina, Sylvester L., Alva and Spen- 
cer M. His childi'en have all oeen well edu- 
cated and are all filling honorable positions 
in life. Mr. Marsh has always favored the 
public-school system, and stands to-day a 
champion for the Bennett law, believing it 
should be sustained by the people. 

The subject of our sketch has been a resi- 
dent of Wiscon.sin since he was twenty-nine 
years old. During the war he had an incli- 
nation to enter the service of his country, 
b\it was prevented from doing so. He was 



304 



BIOQBAPHIOAL HISTORY OF 



drafted into tlie service, however, and imme- 
diatelf; joined the army, being placed in 
Company C, Third Wisconsin Infantry. 
Three weeks after the war was over he was 
taken sick and sent to different hospitals, 
where he remained three months and a lialf. 
He received his discharge August 3, 1865. 
When he first came to Wisconsin he bought 
eighty acres of land near Maple Works, 
which he still owns. Since that time Mr. 
Marrii has been variously employed, and has 
served the public in a number of ways. He 
has been Town Clerk two years, Supervisor 
two years, and Magistrate thirty years. He 
has been ir*ostmaster of Maple Works for 
many years, and at this writing still holds 
that office. He has also had many years' ex- 
perience in the hotel business in Maple 
Works. Politically he is a Republican. 



■^Mf- 



< M-4fr»' ' 



;TTA F. WALTERS, another one of 
Mji. the thrifty farmers of Clark County, 
^^«f^ resides in section 33, Grant Township. 
He was born in Saxony, Germany, September 
30, 1845, and came to AVashington County, 
Wisconsin, with iiis parents wlien he was 
nine years old. His fatlier had a family of 
six children, four sons and two daugiiters. 
The youngest child is deceased, and tiie 
parents also died, in Washington County. 
Mr. Walters' father was a very industrious 
man. After he came here he cleared eighty 
acres of land, and wlien he died he left a hne 
farm of 100 acres. 

The subject of our sketch remained with 
his parents until he was twenty-four years 
old. December 23, 1872, he was united in 
marriage with Augusta Schoenzarth, also a 
native of Germany. They have seven chil- 
dren, namely: Hulda, Albert, Ida, Melvina, 
Otta, Selma and Paulina. Five of them are 



attending the public schools. Previous to 
his marriage, in 1868, Mr. Walters bought 
his present farm, sixty five acres of wliiuh lie 
has cleared, there lieing 200 acres in all. At 
the time of purchase it was covered with 
heavy timber, and there were no roads near. 
He at once went to work to clear the land 
and helped to build the roads, and soon the 
place began to assume a different appearance. 
Four years ago he built a nice barn witii a 
basement under it. Like many of the pioneer 
settlers of this district, Mr. Walters spent 
much of his time in the lumber camps during 
the winter. In speaking of his early ex- 
perience here, he says that the first cow he 
bouglit he was unable to pay for, so he bor- 
rowed the money of three different persons 
and made the payment. He is a member of 
the Town Board, is Assessor, and for several 
years has been District Clerk of Schools. 
He \vas elected to tiie latter office the first 
year after he came liere, and has held it ever 
since. Mr. AV^ alters sold the first reaper that 
was sold in the county. He is now acting 
as agent for the Concordia Fire Insurance 
Cduipany of Milwaukee. 



fPvEDERICK BUKER, of section 19, 
Warner Township, Clark County, was 
born in Ilolzhausen, Prussia, September 
13, 1840, the sou of Hermann Biiker (de- 
ceased), also a native of Germany. The lat- 
ter brought ills family to the United States 
in the spring of 1847, settling in Shebo^'gan 
County, Wisconsin, and at that time there 
were l)ut two stores in the village of that 
name. They could find no shelter, but made 
booths of brush until they could buihl a cabin. 
They settled in the wilderness ten miles north- 
west of Slieboygan, in wliat is now the town 
of Herman. Wild animals and Indians were 





dlvij 




Ma^ 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



305 



niimeroiis, hut the latter were not trouble- 
some, siiui often tradc'i with the family. They 
were the parents of eleven children, five of 
whom still survive: Frederick, Emelia, Con- 
rad, Henry and Mary; but the last three 
are Mrs. Bilker's children by a subsequent 
marriage. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on a 
farm, and received a limited education in the 
public schools of ills native country. lie was 
a soldier in the late war, in Company C, 
Twenty-seventh Wisconsin Volunteer Infan- 
try, serving three years. He was in the bat- 
tle of Saline Bottom, where, with nine others, 
lie stood and fought until the nine were 
killed and wounded, leaving him alone. The 
Rebels had si.x men to one Union man, but 
the latter came out victorious. He was also 
in many other engagements, and at the 
surrendei- of Mobile, where 263 guns wore 
taken from the Rel)ol8 in one day. Ue came 
out without a scratch, except as a ball grazed 
his right ear and burned it, but had several 
holes shot through his clothing. Mr. Bilker's 
company was composed mostly of Germans, 
and some of them could neither read nor 
write English, and he wrote many letters for 
them to their friends at home. 

After the war Mr. Bilker resumed fanning 
in Sheboygan County, which he continued 
until the fall of 1873, when he came to this 
county, settling in Warner Township, which 
has since been his home. It was then a dense 
woods, l)ut he cleared thirty-five acres on sec- 
tion 24, range 3 west. In 1875 he settled on 
his present farm of 400 acres, 110 of which 
he lias since cleared. Mr. Bilker has been 
Assessor of his town four years; Chairman of 
the Town I'oard three years, and in buth of 
these otKces did e.xcellent work for the people. 

lie was married December 22, 1865, to 
Charlotte Sharper, and they have had seven 
children, five of whom are now livincr, viz.: 



Fred W., Edwin II., Amelia, George and 
Bertha, all of whom are at lK)me. The 
family arc members of the {merman Reformed 
(Immanuel) Church, rolitically Mr. lUiker is 
a Republican, and socially a member of the 
A. O. U. W., Sons of Hermann, and also Se- 
lect Knights. 



..... ;r . ;. .;. g H^ 

fEtiOME B. MILLER, the moving spirit 
of the village of Alma Center, Jackson 
County, was born August 12, 1846, in 
Sherman, Chautaucjua County, Now York, 
and is a son of AVilliam and Rachel (Heath) 
Miller. His ancestors, as far as records show, 
were natives of New York State, his father 
having been born there February 11, 1811, 
and in 1855 moved to Illinois, and from 
there in 1865 to Wisconsin, settling in Alma 
Center, where he died July 1, 1889, and is 
there buried. The mother is still living, 
spending much of her time with our subject 
at his home in Alma Center. M. G. F. Joel 
Heath left New York, coming to Wisconsin 
in the '50s, and was one of the old pioneers, 
that part of the State being sparsely settled 
at that lime. 

Mr. Miller was educated at the Union liiirh 

o 

school at Marengo, Illinois. At the age of 
seventeen he enlisted in the One Hundred 
and Forty-first Illinois Infantry, and served 
until Noveml)er, 1864, when he was honor- 
ably discharged. In December, 1864, he 
went to the oil regions of Pennsylvania and 
struck for oil. He was there when the crash 
came, and sold out for $4,000 what he had 
onco refused to sell for $40,000! AVhile 
there he met Miss Ella Gildersleeve, whom 
he mari'ied May 23, 1873. She is a daugh- 
ter of Ezra and Mary Gildersleeve, of Mer- 
cer County, P<>nnsylvania. They have had 
two children, Roy and Olive. 



roc 



BIOGRAPHICAL UlSTORT OF 



In 1873 he came to Wisconsin, settling in 
Alma Center, engaging in the hardware busi- 
ness, which he continued alone until 1879, 
when he took into partnership his brother, 
E. A. Miller, and the firm until 1887 was 
J. B. Miller & Bro., when it was incorpo- 
rated under the laws of Wisconsin as the 
Miller Hardware and Lumber Company, with 
a paid up capital of $30,000, and having two 
places of business, located at Alma Center 
and Uixton. The Alma Center house is in 
charo-e of J. B., and the Hixton house is 
watched over by E. A. These two brothers 
own the entire block of the corporation. In 
addition to the large sales of hardware, lum- 
ber, lime, cement, etc., they do a banking 
business at both places. They own a farm 
in Northfield, which is at present cultivated 
by tenants; also several hundred acres of 
timber land in Clark County. 

Mr. Miller has four brothers and four 
sisters, namely: Addie M., widow of H. M. 
Briggs, living in McKean County, Pennsyl- 
vania; J. S.; Ann, wife of Oscar Heath, of 
Midway, Wisconsin ; Amy M., wife of Joseph 
Metcalf, ex-Sheriff of Jackson County; 
Helen A., wife of Calvin Niles, of Merril- 
Ion, Wisconsin; A. E., M. J. and Edwin A. 
The family is remarkable for longevity. 
Until the death of his father there was an 
unbroken household. The oldest brother is 
now tifty-five years of age, and the youngest 
has just passed the thirtieth mile-post of life. 
Mr. Miller for a long time was the only man 
engaged in mercantile business in Alma 
Center; but by his energy and persistency 
the village has increased until it is now a 
prosperous town of several hundred inhabi- 
tants, surrounded by a prosperous and thrifty 
farming community. He is a public-spirited 
citizen, and is ready to aid any cause that 
will benefit Alma Center. 

He is a member of the I. O. O. F., F. & 



A. M., and P. C. Judkins Post, G. A. 11., 
No. 87, in which he takes a lively interest. 
In politics he is a stanch Republican, and 
says he sells nails for less than the Democrats 
claim is the tariff on them. 




ICIIAEL McCAFFERY, of section 
31, Thorp Township, Clark County, 

^^^ was born in Cedarbnrgh, Ozaukee 
County, Wisconsin, September 6, 1849, the 
son of Philip and Mary (Ilickey) McCaffery, 
the former a native of County Westmeatii, 
and the latter of County Carlow, Ireland. 
They had nine children, six of whom are now 
living, viz.: Michael, James, Bernard, Joseph, 
Julia and John. One daughter, Catharine, 
died at the age of thirteen years, and a son, 
Eugene, died at the age of fourteen years. 
The father was brought to the United States 
by his parents when twelve years old, and 
Urst lived six years in Fall River, Connecti- 
cut, and then came to Cedarburgh, Wiscon- 
sin, where he engaged in farming three miles 
north of that city. He now resides in Green 
Bay, this State. 

The subject of this sketch came with iiis 
parents to Brown County, Wisconsin, in 
1855, settling on a farm, where he re- 
ceived a limited education. His father tlien 
went to the war, and he had the principal 
care of the family in his absence. In tiie 
spring of 1871 he went to Chicago, and the 
following fall came to this county, where he 
took care of a logging camp during the sum- 
mers, and worked as a wood-butcher in the 
winters. In the fall of 1873 he came to his 
present farm of 160 acres, eighty-two of 
which is cleared, and forty of which lies on 
section 16, this township. Mr. McCaffery 
worked three years for the railroads, in esti- 
mating timber on the lands granted to the 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



307 



coiTipaiiies. He has also been engaged in 
logging several winters. Mr. McCatfery has 
been Town Treasurer two years, Assessor for 
the past five years, School Director six years, 
and is now a member of the Odd Fellows and 
Masonic fraternities. 

Mr. McCafFery was married April 2, 1883, 
to Anna, daughter of William Jerard, of this 
township, and they have three children: Hazel, 
Philip and Jeannctte. 

— — >^S- 2 " ;'^ -- — 




ilLLTAM JERARD, of section 23 
't Thorji Township, Clark County, was 
born in Hammond Township, Jeffer- 
son County, JMew York, March 22, 1834, the 
son of William and Phcebe (Vincent) Jerard, 
both deceased, the former a native of Devon- 
shire, England, and the latter of the State of 
New York. The father came to the United 
States when a young man, and settled near 
Watertown, New York. Of the parents' 
seven children, four survive, viz.: Lucinda, 
now Mrs. Jerome Foster, of this county; 
William, our subject; Henry Vincent, who 
resides in this township; and Jane, Mrs. 
James Tousley, of Watertown, New York. 
The father lost his life in the Union army 
during the late war. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on a 
farm and educated in the common schools of 
his native county, where he also learned the 
carpenter's trade when a young man. He 
was a soldier in the late war, in Company F, 
Tenth New York Heavy Artillery, served 
three years, and participated in the battle of 
the Wilderness and also in the capture of 
Petersburg and Richmond. He came to Ju- 
neau County, Wisconsin, in the fall of 1867, 
where he worked at his trade mostly until 
the fall of 1873, when he came to this county 
and took up a homestead, on which he settled 



May 14, 1874. At that time diere were no 
roads, and the country was inhabited by wild 
animals and Indians. His nearest postoffice 
was Edson, in Chippewa County, ten miles 
distant. He first worked at lumbering several 
winters, taking contracts from the Eau Claire 
Lumber Company. Mr. Gerard now owns a 
fine farm of eighty acres, thirty of which is 
cleared. 

He was married in March, 1850, to Dorcas 
Warner, daughter of Stephen AVarner, do- 
ceased. They have had four children, two of 
whom still survive: Anna, now Mrs. Michael 
McCaffery, of this city; and Jeanette, who 
keeps house for her father. The mother died 
in February, 1890. Mr. Jerard has been 
Town Treasurer one year; a member of the 
Side Board one j'ear; chairman of the Board 
four years; a member of the School Board 
eight years; Justice of the Peace four years, 
and has been several times elected to the 
latter office, but refused to serve. Politically 
he is a Republican. 



fOWARD A. EHLE, of Abbotsford, 
Clark County, was born in Cazenovia, 
Sullivan County, New York, June 8, 
1841, the son of Harrison Ehle, deceased 
who was born in the Mohawk Valley, near 
Canajoharie. In 1851 he emigrated to Fond 
du Lac County, Wisconsin, and settled in the 
wild woods of Forrest Township. He and 
his sons cleared eighty acres, and were sur- 
rounded with Indians, mostly the Winne- 
bago and Manitowoc tribes. Edward A., our 
subject, was reared to farm life, and received 
his education in a log cabin, with pine-logs 
for seats, and with a shed roof made of 
scoops. He was a soldier in the late war in 
Company II, Thirty-seventh Wisconsin Vol- 
unteer Infantry, served two and a half years, 



308 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF 



and was in the battles of Cold Harbor, Ber- 
muda Hundred, siege of Petersburg, Weidon 
Railroad, Poplar Grove Church, Fort Hall, 
and others. He was not seriously wounded, 
but had a slight flesh wound on his neck over 
the jugular vein, and also had several holes 
shot in his clothing, and on the Weidon raid 
had his canteen split open. 

After the war Mr. Ehle resumed farming 
on the old homestead until January, 1874, 
when he came to Colby, this county, but set- 
tled just across the lino in Marathon County. 
Wild game was then plentiful, and he shot 
hundreds of deer and a few bear, but declin- 
ing health caused him to leave this farm, and 
iti 1888 he removed to Colby. On May 20, 
1890, he settled in Abbotsford, wiiere he en- 
gaged in the saloon and hotel business. He 
keeps a quiet house, and never sells to an in- 
toxicated man. Mr. Ehle was married No- 
vember 30, 1869, to Miss Melissa Carpenter, 
a daughter of Henry and Maria (Westen- 
house) Carpenter. The father is deceased, 
and the mother now lives with our subject. 
Mr. and Mrs. Ehle have four children: Edna, 
born October 7, 1870; Edward A., November 
25, 1873; Marshall P., April 1, 1882, and 
Madge, January 21, 1884. While in Greene 
Townsliip, Marathon County, Mr. Ehle was a 
member of the Side Board. Socially he is a 
member of the G. A. R., and politically votes 
for the man regardless of party. 

fRED D. WINTER, of Thorp, but late of 
Ardell, Shel)oygan County, Wisconsin, 
was born near Kolow, Germany, April 
1. 1849, the son of Fred Winter, deceased. 
The father brought his family to the United 
States in 1864, settling in Sheboygan County, 
this Stale. Our subject soon began work for 
himself, and first went to North Dakota, 



where he spent fifteen years in tiiat State, 
California, and other parts of the West. At 
one time he owned 800 acres of land in Trail 
County, Dakota, but has since sold it. He 
also ran a stage and carried the mail from 
Hillsboro to Newburg for three years; next 
kept a hotel in Caledonia, Moorhead and 
Fargo, North Dakota, and then settled on his 
farm, where he remained eight years. He 
subsequently returned to Sheboygan County, 
remained three years, after which he sold out 
and returned to California. He again re- 
turned to Sheboygan County, and in 1890 
came to Thorp, where he owns property and 
is engaged in a meat market. 

Mr. Winter was married in May, 1873, to 
Dora S. Spingler. 



HviENJAMIN BRUNO, a lumberman of 
Thorp, was born in Charlotte, Vermont, 
December 6, 1852, the son of Thomas 
and Mary (Bernard) Bruno, both natives of 
Canada. They were the parents of twelve 
children, eight now living, namely: Lewis, 
Charles, Mary, Sarah, Benjamin, Leander, 
Alonzo and Lorenzo (twins). The father was 
a soldier in the patriotic war in Canada, but 
subsequently the j)arents moved to Gi-een 
Bay, Wisconsin, in 1866, where the father 
died in 1869. After her husband's death the 
mother married Benjamin Major, and re- 
moved to Canada. 

The subject of this sketch received a lim- 
ited education in his native State, where he 
also worked in the shintcle mills until the 
fall of 1879. In that year he came to Ste- 
vens' Point, and thence, in the fall of 1880 
to Thorp, where he remained until 1884. 
Next he removed to Batenian, this State, 
where he worked in a shingle-mill for Charles 
E. Parks & Co. until 1S87, and then retui'tied 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



309 



to this city. Wlien he first came liero tliere 
were hut two houses, whicli heloiiged to J. S. 
& E. A. Boardiuan. George Lesley moved 
to this place the same fall, and kept a hotel 
in the old railroad camp. Mr. Bruno has 
run the shingle mill for Nye, Lusk & Hud- 
son every summer since returning to this 
place, and has logged for the same firm 
during the winters. 

He was married June 4, 1875, to Elizaheth 
Delauey, a daughter of James C. De'aney, of 
Howard, l>rown County, Wisconsin. They 
liave had six children, five now living: May, 
born May 1, 1876; Annetta, May 14, 1878; 
Alice M., January 11, 1881; Frank G., No- 
vember 23, 1883, and William G., February 
18, 1889. One son, Lyman G., died in his 
second year. 

-^^^'^'I— 



^ETFR SCHROEDER, of Thorp, Clark 
County, was born near the Rhine, Prus- 
sia, November 4, 1843. He came with 
his parents to the United States in 1850, 
settling near Madison, where they remained 
oneyeir; thence to Dent County, Wisconsin; 
in 1853 to Waterloo, Black Hawk County, 
Iowa; and in 1855 to Faribault County, 
Minnesota. In 1880 our subject came to 
this county, settling at Thorp, where he has 
since remained. At that time there was not 
a turnpike here, and but few houses. He has 
been in the saloon business most of the time, 
but now has his business rented. He also 
has a saloon rented in Washburn, Bayfield 
County, Wisconsin. Mr. Schroeder was a 
soldier in the late war, in Company F, Fifth 
Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served 
from March 19 to Novemlier 8, when he was 
discharged on account of sickness. January 
1, 1864, he re-enlisted, in Company II, Sec- 
ond Minnesota Volunteer Cavalry, and serve<l 



until April 28, 1866. He was in the battle of 
Corinth, and in several tights with the Indians 
in the bad lands of Dakota. He now draws 
a pension. He is a member of the G. A. R. 
and 1. O. O. F. 

He was married October 30, 1866, to Mary 
II. Ducate, a daughter of Moses Ducato, de- 
ceased. They liave one child, Henry, born 
(k'tober 23, 1867, who is now workiin>- on a 
farm in Minnesota. 



|0I;LE DOWNER, a highly respected 
farmer, residing on section 36, York 
Township, was born in Stockholm, New 
York, in the county of St. Lawrence, August 
7, 1852. His parents, Joel and Eliza A. 
(Nichols) Downer, were natives of Vermont 
and New York respectively. The father 
lived in his birthplace until he was twelve 
years of age, when he went to Essex County, 
New York. There he afterwards met and 
married Lavinia Nichols, by whom he had 
two children: Lucy and one who died in 
infancy. Mrs. Downer died in Essex County, 
New York, about live years after her mar- 
riage. Later on Mr. Downer removed to St. 
Lawrence County, New York, and settled in 
Stockholm, where he married a second time, 
this utiion being with Eliza A. Nichols, a 
sister of liis first wife. She was born in 
Crown Point, New York, April 8, 1828, and 
was a daughter of Elbie and Lucy (Holdino-) 
Nichols, natives of New York and Vermont 
respectively. They had live children born to 
them: Noble, the subject of this notice, 
Mariette, deceased; Homer, mention of 
whom is made later on in this volume; Cora 
L., and Carrie L. In 1864 Mr. Downer re- 
moved with his family from St. Lawrence 
County, New York, to Clark County, Wis- 
consin, and settled on a farm on section 36, 



olO 



BIOGRAPHICAL llISTORi OF 



of wliat is now York Township; there he 
spent the remainder of his days, passing away 
February 12, 1889, at the age of seventy- 
iive years; his wife still survives, and makes 
her home with her son, Homer. 

When Joel Downer came to Clark County 
he bought forty acres of land on which he 
settled; it was a dense forest, and there were 
no roads, and there was only an occasional 
cabin built in the woods. He and his family 
were subjected to all the hardships of pioneer 
life, but they were determined, brave and 
willing, and success has been their reward. 
In politics he adhered to the principles of the 
Kepublican party. 

To return to the subject of this brief 
sketch: Noble Downer was reared to his 
eleventh year in the county of his birth, 
when his parents removed to Clark County, 
Wisconsin. He attended the common schools 
of that day, and acquired an education that 
fitted him for ordinary business pursuits. 
His father being a farmer by occupation, he 
was trained to this work, and at the age of 
twenty-two years he settled on a farm of his 
own. He has a tract of sixty acres, to the 
development of which he has given much 
thought and labor; he has made all the im- 
proveirients, and all the surroundings bespeak 
his wise management and thrift. During 
the winter season he is engaged in one of 
the leading industries of Wisconsin, logging 
in the pineries. In his political views he 
adheres to the ideas set forth by the 
Repiiblican party. He is a member of 
the Modern Woodmen of America, at Maple 
Works. 

Mr. Downer was united in wedlock, in 
1873, to Miss Malinda Johnson, of Grant 
Township, Clark County, Wisconsin. She was 
born in the State of Pennsylvania, in 1854, and 
is a dauehter of elosiah and Susanna Johnson. 
Eiicht children have ijeeu born to Mr. and 



Mrs. Downer: Noble, deceased; Albion, Joel, 
Richard, Frank, Gertrude, Niel and Bessie. 



ISOMER DOWNER, a successful agricul- 
turist, section 36, York Township, was 
born in Stockholm, St.Lawrence County, 
New York, November 24, 1856. He is a son 
of Joel and Eliza A. (Nichols) Downer, a full 
history of whom is given in the preceding 
biographical sketch. When he was a lad of 
eight years his parents decided to remove to 
Clark County, Wisconsin, where they con- 
sidered they could give better opportunities 
to their children than in the more thickly 
settled section of New York; so that our 
subject spent his youth on the frontier, and 
there became inured to the hardships of 
agricultui'al life. He acquired his education 
in the pioneer schools, and during the sum- 
mer season assisted his father on the farm. 
The task of clearing a farm from out the 
heart of a dense forest, requires both energy 
and perseverance, and the men who have 
aided in this great labor are apt to be of a 
remarkably sturdy type. In the winter sea- 
sons Mr. Downer has been engaged to a con- 
siderable extent in the business of logging. 
Politically he is a stanch advocate of the 
principles of the Republican party. 

In the year 1884, June 7, he was united in 
marriacce to Miss Minnie Davis, a daughter 
of Theodore and Caroline (Huntly) Davis. 
She is a native of Clark County, Wisconsin, 
born .Fune 5, 1866. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Downer have been born 
two children: Hazel and Callie. 



A NIEL J. KINNE, a prosperous 

farmer, residing on section 17, Loyal 

Township, was born in Waukesha 

County, Wisconsin, February 22, 1845. His 




CLARE AM) JACKSON COUNTIKti. 



311 



parents, Jetforson aiidJaiie (Ilaiikiiis) Kinno, 
were natives of New York and Vermont 
respectively; tliey were married in tlie town 
of New Berlin, AVaukesha County, Wiscon- 
sin, and resided in Dodge and Washington 
counties, and finally came to Clark County; 
there the father passsed the remainder of his 
days; he was a carpenter l>y trade, but fol 
lowed farming the latter part of his life 
Politically he was a Democrat; he served 
through the late war as a private in the Fiftli 
Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and was once 
wounded. His family consisted of seven 
children: Almira, Daniel J., Laura, Martha, 
Harriet, Jasper and Emily, all of whom are 
living. The mother also survives, and is a 
resident of Hartford, Washington County, 
Wisconsin. 

Daniel J. was the second child born; he 
was reared in Waukesha and Washiiurton 
counties to farm life, and received his educa- 
tion in the common schools. At the atre of 
nineteen years he joined the army, enlisting 
in Company F, Forty-eighth Wisconsin Vol- 
unteer Infantry, and served until the declara- 
tion of peace. He was mustered out of the 
service at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and re- 
ceived his final discharge at Madison, Wis- 
consin. The following spring he came to 
Clark County, Wisconsin, and homesteaded 
IGO acres where he now lives. This was heav- 
ily timbered, and neighbors were few and far 
between; he at once erected a cabin, eighteen 
by twenty-four feet, in which he lived for 
several years. By careful management, 
pluck, energy, and perseverance, he has 
cleared 100 acres, and owns 200 acres in all; 
he has built a large and convenient barn, a 
tine two-story frame residence, and has sur- 
rounded himself and family with many of 
the comforts and luxuries of life. He started 
in life without means, but his efforts have 
been crowned with success. 



Mr. Kinne was united in the holy bonds 
of marriage, in September, 180(5, to Miss 
Martha Emerson. She was born in Wash- 
ington County, Wisconsin, in 1847, and is a 
daughter of Norman and Nancy (Chatman) 
Emerson. No children have been born of 
this union, but Mr. and Mrs. Kinne have 
adopted a son, Frank Single, by name. 

Politically Mr. Kinne is allied with the 
Republican party, although he takes no 
active interest in the movements of that 
body. 

"♦•' ^ • 3"t ' |" — 



fOHN F. BRASIER.— In reviewing the 
life of this highly respected citizen, we 
will go back to the history of his 
parents. His father, John Brasier, was born 
in Nova Scotia; he married Elizabeth Pegg, 
a native of the State of Pennsylvania, and 
they removed from Canada to Hartford, 
AVashington County, Wisconsin, in the year 
1845. There they underwent all the hard- 
ships and privations incident to pioneer life. 
They had born to them a family of five chil- 
dren: Charles, Sarah, Elizabeth, William 
and John F. The parents were faithful 
members of the Christian Church, and people 
of great integrity of character. The father 
died in Washington County, AVisconsin, and 
the mother passed her last days at the home 
of a daughter in Clark County, Wisconsin. 

John F. Brasier, son of the above, was 
born in Canada AVest, June 1, 1834, and 
lived until his twelfth year in his native 
home; his parents then removed to Hartford, 
Washington County, and he remained there 
until 1860. In that year he went to Sheboy- 
gan County, AVisconsin, and made it his home 
the two decades following. In 1880 we ,lind 
him in Clark County, where he bought 160 
acres of land adjacent to the village of Loyal. 



312 



BIOGRAPHICAL 11 1 STORY OF 



Throughout his life lie has followed faruiing, 
and lie has now succeeded in placing under 
cultivation ninety acres of his land. In the 
beginning of his business career he liad no 
capital, but was obliged to rely upon his own 
industry and energy for success. He has 
been quite prosperous, and is well worthy of 
the high esteem in which he is held. In 
politics he votes the Eepublican ticket. 

In 1863, November 24, he enlisted as a 
private in Company I, First Wisconsin Vol- 
unteer Infantry, and served until the close of 
the war. He was mustered out at Daven- 
port, Iowa, and received liis tinal discharge 
June 13, 1865. He participated in the 
Georgia campaign, and was in many minor 
battles and skirmishes. 

Mr. Brasier was united in marriage, De- 
cember 25, 1862, to Miss Mary A. Shaver, of 
Sheboygan County, Wisconsin. Mrs. Brasier 
was born in the State of New York in 1845, 
and is a daughter of James and Charlotte 
(Gordon) Shaver. Mr. and Mrs. Brasier are 
the parents of ten children: Jennie E., Kob- 
ert E., Charlotte E., Fhcfibe E., Hattie E., 
Emily E., Alvin E., Lloyd E., Olive E. and 
Ray E. 

The father and mother are both worthy and 
consistent members of the Seventh-Day Ad- 
ventist Church. 

(HABLES M. BRADFORD, one of the 

substantial farmers of Sherman Town- 
ship, was born in Plymouth, Sheboygan 
County, Wisconsin, October 22, 1850. Hie 
parents, Ira A. and Sarah G. (Swteting) Brad- 
ford, were natives of Vermont and New York 
respectively. They were married in Syracuse, 
New York, but in 1846 emigrated to Sheboy- 
.ran County, Wisconsin, and settled in Plym- 
outh, where they have resided since that 



time. Ira A. Bradford has been a farmer all 
his life. He was at one time Supervis<jr of 
Sheboygan County, and has been chairman 
of his Town Board. He has been fortunate 
in his business, and has accumulated a com- 
petence. He and his wife reared a family of 
eight children: Helen, George W., De Witt 
M., Charles M., Frank I., Celia, Morton E. 
and William N. 

Charles M. Bradford grew to manhood 
amidst the pursuits of agricultural life, and 
obtained his education in the common schools. 
He remained under the paternal rule until 
he was eighteen years of age, and then started 
out in life for himself. As the tide of emi- 
gration was still westward, he drifted with it, 
and landed in Clark County, Wisconsin, 
whtre he remained one year employed in the 
pineries. He then went back to Sheboygan 
County, and followed farming dui-ing the 
summer, and in the winter time taught school, 
until the year 1875, when he returned to 
Clark County. He bought eighty acres of 
land where he now lives; it was then heavily 
timbered. He has added to his first purchase 
forty acres, and has through his own per- 
severing efforts reduced sixty-tive acres to a 
state of cultivation. In the winter season he 
devoted some time to logging in earlier 
days, but now gives his whole attention to 
the improvement of his farm. 

In politics he is allied with the Republican 
party. He has been chairman of the Town 
Board for three years, and was Town Clerk 
for nine years, proving always worthy of the 
trust reposed in him. 

In the year 1871, October 29, Mr. Brad- 
ford was married to Miss Stella C. Eastman, 
of Sheboygan County, Wisconsin. Mrs. 
Bradford was born in Jefferson County, New 
York, October 4, 1851, and is a daughter of 
Frederick L. and Ursula (Ames) Eastman, 
natives of the Empire State. The parents 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



313 



emigrated to Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, 
in 1854, wliere tlie mother passed the re- 
mainder of her days; the father still sur- 
vives. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bradford are the parents of 
four children: Ira L., William, Maud E. and 
Charles E. 



IIIARLES W. VAN GORDEN, Treas- 
urer of Jackson County, is a man of 
^■'i sterling traits of character, and is de- 
serving of a space in tliis record of the pro- 
gressive men of the county. lie was horn in 
Chemung County, New York, in the town 
now known as Ilorseheads, November 17, 
1843. His parents, Isaac S. and Deborah 
(Humphrey) Van Gorden, were natives of 
the same State and county, were reared, 
mariied and died there. The father was a 
farmer by occujmtion, and accumulated a 
considerable amount of property. He was a 
man prominent in all public enterprises, and 
was a leader in the community. He and his 
wife were active members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Mrs. Van Gorden was 
possessed of a voice of rare sweetness and 
power, and sang with unusual effect. The 
paternal ancestors were Hollanders, who set- 
tled in the State of New York at an early 
day. The Humphreys were of Irish descent 
and were early settlers in New York. 

Isaac Van Gorden and wife reared a family 
of eight children: Georj^e, Maiinda, Alonzo, 
Fletcher, Charles W., Martha, Franklin and 
Schuyler. The father was married a second 
time, the last wife being Amanda Wilco.x, of 
Chemung County, New York. One child 
was born of this union — Mahlon. 

To return to the subject of this Ijiography, 
be passed his childhood and j'outh in his 
native town an<l county, received his educa- 



tion in the common scliot)ls, and assisted his 
fatlier in the duties pertaining to the care of 
the farm. In 1860 he bade farewell to these 
scenes of his early days, and emigrated to 
Illinois, settling on a farm in Henry County. 
There he resided until 1809, when he came 
to Jackson County, Wisconsin, and purchased 
eighty acres of land on section 11, Ilixton 
Township. He has since added another 
eighty acres, and the whole is well improved 
and under good cultivation. The buildino-s 
are of a modern stylo of architecture, are sub- 
stantial and well suited to the needs of a 
prosperous farmer. When Mr. Van Gorden 
started out in life for himself, he was en- 
dowed with only the capital which nature 
provides her sons, but he has made the most 
of the talents given to his keeping. At the 
time of his marriage he had only $4, and he 
paid the preacher the half of that amount 
for "tying the knot." 

In 1890 he was nominated by the Demo- 
crats and Farmers' Alliance for Treasurer of 
the county, and was elected by a majority of 
si.xty, the county having giveti a Republican 
majority in 1888 of several hundred. Ho 
has held some othce in his township ever 
since he become a resident of the county. All 
his life he has been a stanch adherent to tho 
principles of the Democratic party. 

In addition to his public duties, Mr. Van 
Gorden is paying particular attention to the 
raising of live-stock, and is making a success 
of this branch of farming. 

March 2, 1864, he was united in the holy 
bonds of marriage to Miss Sarah Barnes, of 
Chemung County, New York. She was born 
September 14, 1844, and is a daughter of 
Oliver C. and Hannah (Cooper) Barnes, 
natives of the State of New York. Six 
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Van Gorden: Charles B., Oliver C, Isaac, 
Hannah E., Loriug G. and Milton W. Isaac 



314 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTOUr OF 



and Milton W. are deceased; tlie others are 
single and living at home. 



• 3nS - |" 



[ETER A. POTTER is one of the large 
land-owners of Manchester Township, 
and is regarded as one of the leading 
farmers of the connty. He was born in Cat- 
taraiigns County, New York, June 7, 1832, 
and is a son of Wilbur and Eliza (Snow) Pot- 
ter, who were natives of Connecticut and 
New York respectively. They emigrated to 
the West in 1839, and settled near Beloit, 
Wisconsin; from this point they removed to 
Union, Rock County, and afterward founded 
the town of Ebensville; in this hamlet Wilbur 
Potter started a chair factory which he man- 
aged for a few years; thence he removed to 
Columbus, Wisconsin, where he established 
a chair and cabinet manufacturing concern; 
after a few years he sold out this business, 
and went to Cedar Lake, Wisconsin, where 
he was proprietor of a hotel for a while; 
after selling this business he moved to Wau- 
kau, Wisconsin, and farmed in that neighbor- 
hood for a time. Thence he went to Iowa, 
and from Iowa to Little Rock, Minnesota, 
where he lived for a short time. During 
bis residence in this latter place he served 
as Postmaster. In the year 1890 he moved 
to the State of Washington, where he now 
lives, at the age of eighty-iive years. His 
wife died at Ebensville, Wisconsin, early in 
tlie '40'8. 

Peter A. Potter is the second of a family 
of ten children; he was but a lad when he 
came to Wisconsin, and was reared in Rock 
County, where he attended the common 
schools. In early life he was in partnership 
with his father in various manufacturing con- 
cerns. In the year 1849 he came to Black 
River Falls, and operated a saw-mill there 



for four years for other parties. At the end 
of that time he began lumbering and work- 
ing in the pineries along the Black River on 
his own account; his experience in the saw- 
mill gave him an excellent training for this 
line of business, and he was unusually suc- 
cessful. In 1867 he removed to his present 
home, and has since given his undivided at- 
tention to farming. He owns 880 acres of 
choice land, lying on sections 6, 7, 20 and 
21, Manchester Township; the homestead 
proper is situated on section 7; 100 acres are 
under cultivation, and there are neat, com- 
fortable buildings, bespeaking the thrift and 
wise management of the owner. Mr. Potter 
affiliates with the Farmers' Alliance, and is a 
strong advocate of prohibition. He has held 
many of the township offices, and has shown 
himself capable and efficient. He is a mem- 
ber of the I. O. O. F., and is a leader in all 
public enterprises' having for their object the 
uplifting of humanity. 

Mr. Potter was married in October, 1860, 
to Miss Marietta Clark, of Jackson County, 
Wisconsin. She was born in the city of New 
York, in 1842, and is a daughter of Sidney 
and Eliza (Vandewalker) Clark. Mr. and 
Mrs. Potter have had born to them ten chil- 
dren: Amelia, Carl, Frank, Millard, Nellie, 
Ella, Albert, Clara, Edna and Hattie. 



-5Mf- 



lg.-^ENRY WELSCH Jr., a young and 
prosperous farmer of Clark County, 
Loyal Township, is deserving of men- 
tion in this connection, and we cheerfully 
give the following space to a sketch of his 
life. He was born in Sheboygan County, 
Wisconsin, May 9, 1869, and is a son of 
Henry Welscli, Sr., a full biographical notice 
of whom will be found on another page of 
this volume. 



CLAIiK AND JAGKbON COUJSTIES. 



315 



Onr subject was reared to farm life in She- 
boygan and Clark Counties, Wisconsin, and 
passed his youth after the manner common 
to most farmers' son»; he assisted on his 
father's farm, and workeil in the pineries 
along tiie Black Iliver. He has been saving 
of his earnings, and has shown rare judgment 
in their investment. He now owns 240 acres 
of tine land in Coll)y Township, eighty-five 
of which are under cultivation. lie has 
made many improvements, and is fully 
equipped with many of the modern imple- 
ments of agriculture. lie is an indefatiga- 
ble worker, has been very successful in all 
the enterprises which he has undertaken, and 
is one of the most promising young men of 
the county. 

Mr. Welsch is a meml)er of the Sons of 
Veterans at Colby, and greatly reveres the 
memory of those gallant fathers who went to 
the rescue of the beloved flag of this country, 
lie is unmarried. 



^^liNEST QUACKENBUSII was born in 
New Berlin, Waukesha County, Wis- 
consin, May 29, 1845, and is a son of 
John and Maria (Elliott) Quackenbusli, na- 
tives of New York and Vermont respectively. 
The parents settled in Waukesha County, 
Wisconsin, at the early day of 1833, and lived 
there until 1857, when they came to Jackson 
County, and located in what is now the town 
of Manchester, where the mother still sur- 
vives, at the age of seventy-tliree years; the 
father died in 1882, aged seventy-throe years. 
lie served in tlie late war as a private in 
Company C, Nineteenth Wisconsin Volun- 
teer Infantry. 

Ernest, the subject of this notice, is one of 
a family of sixteen cliildren; he lived in 
Waukesha County until he was thirteen years 



of age, and then came to Jackson County 
where he has since resided, lie lias been 
engaged in the lumber business durincr the 
winter season, and in the summer time he 
has devoted his time to agriculture, lie has 
now retired from an active business life, as 
his health is somewhat impaired. He owns 
a farm of eighty-one acres which ho keeps in 
good cultivation. 

December 21, 1863, when there was a call 
for men to come to the front in defense of 
this beloved Union, Mr. Quackenl)ush enlisted 
as a private in Company U, Twenty-lifth Wis- 
consin Volunteer Infantry, and served until 
the close of the war. He received his final 
discharge at Madison, Wisconsin, in Auo-ust, 
18G5. lie participated in engagements in 
Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, Georgia, 
North Carolina and South Carolina; was 
with Sherman on his famous march to the 
sea and through the Georgia campaign , and 
took part in the grand review at Washington, 
District of Columbia. While in the service, 
through exposuro he lost his health, and now 
draws a pension from the Government. 

Mr. Quackenbusli was united in marriage, 
November 18, 1866, to Miss Sarah Matchett, 
who was I)orii in Canada, January 20, 1849. 
Her parents are William and Paulina (I'ick- 
ard) Matchett, now residents of Jackson 
County, Wisconsin. Six children have lieen 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Quackenbusli: William, 
Carrie, Frank, Isabelle, Ernest and Bessie. 

— 4-5«^^-- 



tUTIIER J. WOODWORTII, a highly 
resj)ected farmer residing on section 36, 
Manchester Township, was born in Ash- 
tabula County, Ohio, April 18, 1840, and is a 
eon of Storey and Candace (Jaynes) Wood- 
worth natives of the State of New York. 
They emigrated to Wisconsin in 1854, and lo. 



316 



BIOOBAPHICAL HISTORY OF 



cated in Jacksim County, and later removed to 
Sauk County; in 1859 they went to Monroe 
County, where the father still survives; the 
motiier died several years ago. 

The subject of this notice is the oldest 
of six children; he passed his youth in his 
native county until he was fifteen years of age; 
then he caine to Wisconsin with his parents. 
He early became accustomed to the labor of 
farm life, and cultivated what was naturally 
a robust constitution. He attended the com- 
mon schools and acquired an education that 
fitted him for the business duties which have 
fallen to his lot. He took up his residence 
in Monroe County, Wisconsin, in 1859, and 
remained there engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits until 1884, when he moved to the farm 
which he now occupies; he owns thirty-six 
acres of choice land in an advanced state of 
cultivation; he has the finest frame residence 
in the township, and is surrounded with 
many of the comforts and luxuries of life; he 
also owns eighty acres of good land in Monroe 
County, Wisconsin. He has accumulated 
this property through energy and persevering 
efforts, and is deserving of the credit gener- 
ally accorded him by all his ac-quaintances. 

Mr. Woodworth, in 1865, responded to the 
call for additional men to come to the front 
in the defense of the old flag, and enlisted 
in Company A, Fifty-third Wisconsin Vol- 
unteer Infantry. He was in the service un- 
til June 27, 1865; soon after his enlistment 
he contracted an illness which confined him 
to the hospital in St. Louis for many long, 
weary weeks. He has never since fully re- 
gained his health, but was granted a pension 
by the Government in recognition of his 
services. In politics he is identified with the 
Republican party. He has represented the 
people of his township in the various local 
ofiices. He is an honored member of the I. 
O. (). F. fraternity. 



Mr. Woodworth was married March 25, 
1863, to Miss Marietta Bennett of Jackson 
County, Wisconsin, and they have had thir- 
teen children. 

— •~-' >! ' 3"; ' S"" " — 




ILLIAM HORSWILL, a prominent 
farmer of Irving, Jackson County, 
was born in Devonshire, England, 
November 13, 1840, the son of William K. 
Horswill, a native of the same country, born 
in 1816. In 1848 the latter came to this 
country, and in 1853 located in Irving 
Township, Jackson County, Wisconsin, where 
he died at the age of fifty-two years. He 
was a very prominent man, and held several 
minor ofiices. Politically he was a Democrat, 
and a farmer by occupation. Our subject's 
mother, Eleanor Pearce, was born in Devon- 
shire, England, in 1814, the daughter of 
Guilford and Ann (Heudiy) Pearce, both na- 
tives of England. Mrs. Horswill died at the 
age of sixty-three years. They were the par- 
ents of nine children : Maria, William, George, 
Jane, James, Richard, Henry, Orrissa and 
John. The latter died at the age of twenty- 
one years. 

William, their second child, was educated 
in Jackson County, and was reared to farm 
life. In 1861 he began to do for himself by 
first working out by the month. In the 
spring of 1882 he bought 300 acres of land on 
sections 13 and 14, his residence being on the 
latter. He also owns 126 acres on sections 
26 and 27, same township, and also consider- 
able land in Melrose. He is engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising. Mr. 
Horswill is well known throughout the 
county as a successful farmer, and as a man of 
more than average intelligence, and is highly 
respected by all who know him. Politically 
he affiliates witii the Democratic party. 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



317 



He was married December 25, 1861, to 
Lydia E. Payne, who was born in New York 
in 1843, and died in Jackson County, Wis- 
consin, Irving Township, ''uly 1, 1887. They 
bad eleven children, namely: Stella E., 
Mary E., John W., George O., Edward, Asa, 
Josephine, Ellis, James, Forest C. and Henry. 
Five are now living: Mary E., Asa, James, 
Forest C. and Henry. 



IHARLES STINE, a farmer of Albion 
Townshij), Jackson County, was born in 
Biiigen, near the Rhine, Germany, De- 
cember 25, 1853, the son of Charles Stine, a 
native of Germany, where he died at about the 
age of forty-seven years. He was a farmer 
by occupation. Our subject's mother, nee 
Mene Stine, was born in Germany, and came 
to this country in 1850, locating in Cook 
County, Hlinois. Later, in 1858, she came 
to Jackson County, Albion Township, where 
she died at the age of fifty-six years. The 
parents had six children, only two of whom 
still survive: F'red S. and Charles. The lat- 
ter was reared to farm life, and educated in 
Jackson County. In 1804 he went to work 
for John Slosser on a I'arm, and remained 
until aboiit 1866. He now owns and occu- 
pies about eighty acres or land on section 5, 
Albion Township, where he is engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising. Polit- 
ically he is a Republican. 

Mr. Stine was married May 12, 1876, to 
Mira Stafford, who was born in Jackson 
County, January 18, 1858, the daughter of 
Martin and Minnie (Staid)agar) Staftbi'd, who 
came from Germany to this country in early 
life and located in Jackson County. Tlie 
father was a farmer l)y occupation, and died 
at the age of seventy yeai-s. Mr. and Mrs. 
Stine have had six children: Charles M., 



George F., Robert H., Edward, Mamie A. 
and f^lora M., all of whom are living except 
Robert II., who died when one year and eight 
months old. 

■" "^O t' i . ^i 




ILLIAM PATTERSON, a prominent 
citizen of Melrose, was born in this 
city April 22, 1860, the son of Will- 
iam Patterson, who was born in Glasgow, 
Scotland, March 26, 1827. He came to this 
country at an early day and located in Mel- 
rose, Jackson County, where he died Novem- 
ber 7, 1879. He was a farmer by occupa- 
tion; a Republican politically; and socially a 
member of the Presbyterian Church. Our 
subject's mother, nee Isabella AVilson, was 
born in Glasgow, and is now living in Mel- 
rose, at the age of fifty-five years. She is a 
daughter of William and Euphemia Wilson, 
both natives of Scotland. They came to 
America in 1857, and in 1858 to Jackson 
County, Wisconsin, where they afterward 
died. In Scotland the father was a miner by 
occupation, but in this country followed farm- 
ing. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson had eleven 
children, nine of whom are still living, viz.: 
Euphemia, Christiana, Maggie, William, 
James, John, Robert, Andrew and Thomas D. 
The subject of this sketch, the fourth 
child, was reared and educated in Melrose, 
whore he is now engaged in the mercantile 
business, under the firm name of Patterson 
Bros. Politically he is independent. 

— ■■■■ S - ] .. r • ?, ■ " " — 



^ENERAL F. VARNUM, a prominent 
— farmer of Jackson County, was born 
near Buffalo, New York, July 9, 1852, 
the son of George Varnum, a native of Ver- 
mont, l)orn March 16, 1822. He left his 



818 



BIOORAPHIGAL n[8T0RT OF 



native State in 1843 and went to Genesee, 
New York, and in 1858 came to Irving, Jack- 
son County, where he died at the age of iifty- 
tbree years and nine months. He was a farmer 
and stock-raiser by occupation, and politically 
was a Democrat. Our subject's mother, nee 
Harriet Brown, was born in New York in 
1824, and is now living in Jackson County, 
Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Varnura bad seven 
children, five of whom are now living: Maria 
L., General, Hattie, Martha and Mary. 

General Varnum, our subject, was reared 
and educated on a farm in this county. In 
1878 be built a house in Irving, on 180 acres 
of land, which lie inherited from bis father. 
He now owns 220 acres on sections 31 and 
36, his residence being on the former. He 
gives considerable attention to the raising of 
stock in addition to general farming. Politi- 
cally he is a Democrat. 

Mr. Varnum was married July 8, 1878, to 
Maggie Luttrell, who was born in Jackson 
County, Wisconsin, October 14, 1860, the 
daugiiter of John and Martha Luttrell, 
natives of Ireland. They came to this 
country and located in Irving, Jackson 
County, in an early day, where they still re- 
side. By occupation tlie father is a farmer. 
Mr. and Mrs. Varnum have two children: 



George and Grace. 



"l- i " i 'Z>'"- 



fREDERICK W. BEHM, of Melrose, was 
born near Berlin, Germany, April 24, 
1836, the son of Martin Behm, also a 
native of that country, where he died at a 
good old age. Our subject's mother was born 
in Germany, and died in Dodge County, Wis- 
consin. 

Frederick, their only child, came to this 
country with his uncle in 1842, and was 
reared and educated principally in Dodge 



County. In 1855 he came to Jackson County, 
where he worked by the montii until 1860, 
in wliich year he bought a farm near Mel- 
rose. In 1861 he enlisted in this city in the 
late war as a private, in Company G, Tenth 
Wisconsin Infantry, and was honorably dis- 
charged November 19, 1862, for disability. 
He afterward re-enlisted in Company F, 
Fifty-first Wisconsin Infantry, and served 
until the close of the war. Mr. Behm then 
returned to Melrose and bought 175 acres of 
land on sections 14, 22 and 27. He lived on 
this place until 1884, when he sold his first 
purchase, leased the remaining land, 175 
acres, and then bought property in the vil- 
lage of Melrose, where he now resides, en- 
gaged in gathering cream. Mr. Behm has 
taken an active part in the Republican party, 
and has held several minor offices. He is a 
member of the G. A. R. post. No. 161, at 
Melrose. 

He was married in 1868, to Catherine A. 
Hildenbrand, who was born in Ohio, and is 
still living, at the age of forty-nine years. 
Mr. and Mrs. Behm have four children: 
Clarence S., Effie M., Myrtie and Winnifred. 
of whom all are living except Clarence S., 
who died at the age of eleven years. 



ILLIAM HUBER, of Melrose, Jack- 
son County, was born in Wurtom- 
berg, Germany, September 8, 1830, 
the son of Philip Huber, also a native of that 
country, where he died at the age of seventy- 
five years. He was a farmer by occupation. 
Our subject's mother, Frances Huber, was 
also born in Germany, where she also died. 
They were the parents of four children, viz.: 
Isaac, Frank, William and Ely, all of whom 
are still living. 

William Iluber, their third child, was 




CLARE AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



319 



reared and educated in his native State, and 
in 1850 came to the United States, locating 
in Clinton County, New Jersey. In 1857 he 
moved to La Crosse County, Wisconsin, and 
in 1860 came to Melrose, Jackson County. 
Here ho owns 160 acres of land on section 
24, where he carries on general farming and 
stock-raising, but makes a specialty of raising 
graded stock. 

Mr. Huber was married in 1860 to Ger- 
trude Ilarman, who was born in Germany, 
but died at Melrose at the age of tifty years. 
She was a daughter of George Harmon, who 
came from Germany to this country in an 
early day, locating in La Crosse, Wisconsin, 
where he subsequently died. Mr. and Mrs. 
Huber have three children: Frances, Eliza 
and William G. 



VER W. GILBERTSON, a farmer of 
Jackson County, was born in Norway, 
^ March 4, 1843, tlie son of Giliiert Han- 
son, who was also born in that country in 
1799. He came to the United States in an 
early day, locating in Irving, Jackson County, 
Wisconsin, where he died at the age of 
seventy-six years. Our subject's mother, 
Anna (Losson) Hanson, was born in Norway 
in 1809, and died in Jackson County, Wis- 
consin, in 1874. Both she and her husband 
were members of the Lutheran Church. They 
were the parents of eight children, namely: 
All)ert, Hans, Mary, Louis, Iver, Gilbert, 
Math and Aminon, all of whom are living 
except the last named. 

Iver W., our subject and tlie fifth child, 
was reared aTid clncated on a farm in his 
native country. In 1859 he learned the 
tailor's trade, which he followed until June 
29, 1864, when he canje to this country, lo- 
cating in Jackson County. During the win- 



ter seasons he worked in the woods, and in 
the summers in a saw-mill. In 1867 he 
bought eighty acres in the town of Irving, to 
which he has since added until he now owns 
500 acres, of which 300 are in timber land. 
He lives on section 18, and gives especial at- 
tention to the raising of graded stock in ad- 
dition to general farming. Mr. Gilbertson 
is one of the prominent Norwegians in the 
county, and is held in high esteem by his 
countrymen. Politically he is a Republican, 
and takes a leading part in all political mat- 
ters. He is a member of the Lutheran 
church, of which ho is one of the trustees. 

He was married August 27, 1867, to Bor- 
tha Albertson, who was also born in Norway, 
September 29, 1840, the daughter of Enger- 
bret and Carrie (Johnson) Gunderson, both 
natives of Norway. The mother died in that 
country, and the father came to the United 
States in 1868, where he afterward died. He 
was a farmer by occupation, and both he and 
his wife were members of the Lutheran 
Church. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbertson have had 
nine children, viz.: Anna C, Emil G., George, 
George II., Alara D., Julius L., Julia M., 
Ansina J. and Theodore L. George died at 
the ago of two years, and Julius when seven 
months old. 

•^•' I ' i ' T ' ^ "'" 



|LEXANDER MAIR, of Melrose, Jack- 
son County, was born in Ayrshire 
Scotland, June 4, 1821, the son of John 
Mair, also a native of Scotland, wliere he 
died at the age of eighty years. He was a 
farmer ]>y occupation; and was a member of 
the rresbyterian Church. Our subject's 
mother, 7iee Mary Faulds, was born in Ayr- 
shire, and died there at the age of seventy- 
five years. She was also a member of the 
Presbyterian Church. They were the parents 



320 



BIOGRAPHICAL HI STORY OF 



of thirteen children, viz.: John, Mattliew, 
William, Allen, Andrew, Alexander, James, 
David, Christopher, Thomas, Jennet, Ellen 
and Jane. 

Alexander Mair, their sixth child, was 
reared and educated in liis native country, 
where he also learned the carpenter's trade. 
In 1855 he came to the United States, locat- 
ing in Allegany County, Maryland, where 
he worked at his trade until the fall of 1861. 
In that year he came to Melrose, Jackson 
County, Wisconsin, where he now owns 161 
acres on section 19, where he carries on 
general farming and stock-raising. Polit- 
ically he is a Republican, and religiously a 
member of the Presbyterian Church. 

He was married, March 3, 1855, to Eliza- 
beth Smith, who was born in Ayrshire, Scot- 
land, October 15, 1827, the daughter of John 
and Jennet (Menis) Smith, both also natives 
of Scotland. They came to this country in 
1855, and subsequently came to Jackson 
County, where the father died at the age of 
seventy-five years, and the mother at eighty- 
two years. The father was a weaver in the 
old country, but in the United States followed 
farming. He was a prominent man during 
his life-time, and was Justice of the Peace 
for many years. They were both members 
of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. and Mrs. 
Mair have had two children: Jennet M. and 
Mary F. 



1 YLVANUS L. GATES, of section 34, 
Eaton Township, Clark County, was 
born in Essex County, New York, 
August 28, 1851, tlie son of Aaron (deceased) 
and Maria (Sawyer) Gates; the former was a 
native of Washington County, New York; 
and the latter now lives with her son, tlie 
subject of this sketch. They were the par- 



ents of three children: Cortez, Sylvanus and 
George. Sylvanus was reared on a farm, and 
received his education in the common schools, 
and has always followed farming and lumber- 
ing. He removed with his parents to Jeffer- 
son County, Iowa, in the spring of 1867, and 
to this county in 1871, settling where he now 
lives. He owns eighty acres of good land, 
and is principally engaged in farming and 
stock-raising. He usually logs each winter, 
both for himself and other people. 

Mr. Gates was married, August 18, 1884, 
to Margaret Redman, a daughter of Richard 
Redman, of Weston Township, Cltjrk Coun- 
ty, and they have two children: Harland A., 
born July 16, 1886; and Irvin, June6, 1889. 
Mr. Gates has served as School Treasurer, 
and is an enterprising and public-spirited 
man, but of an unassuming nature. In his 
political views he is a Republican. 



fAMES SYTH, of section 22, Eaton Town- 
ship, Clark County, was born in London, 
Canada West, June 18, 1841, the son of 
John Syth, a native of Waukenton, England. 
He came to Canada in 1834, and died there 
in 1843. Our subject was reared and edu- 
cated in his native place, and also worked on 
a farm. He came to LaCrosse County, Wis- 
consin, in 1870, and worked as a farm hand 
until 1877, when he came to this county. 
He settled on his present place in the spring 
of 1887, where he owns forty acres of good 
land, twenty- two of which is cleared. He 
was married, June 30, 1882, to Emma, 
daughter of Charles Teel, of Loyal Township, 
Clark County, and they have had three chil- 
dren, only one of whom survives, — James, 
born August 21, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Syth 
are both members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and the former is also a member of 




W" 




^2^>l_^ 



CLAIiK AND JACK soy COUNTIES. 



321 




the I. O. O. F. He lias served as Justice of 
the Peace and Road Master; is an enterpris- 
ing public-spirited man, and takes an interest 
in all that tends to build up the country, 
religiously, morally and tinancially. 



It. O'HEARN.— It iswitii banks as 
with all other enterprises: each one 
'* owes its origin and development to 
a few inovinw spirits. Its history is their 
history; its success their success. Thecharac- 
ter wiiich it bears as a financial institution — 
as a liusiness factor — in the community where 
it is, and in money circles aljroad, is the re- 
sultant character of its leading officials. The 
more intimate the relation of the official to 
the bank, the more marked is his infliience 
upon its affairs, and of necessity the more 
rigidly does the public hold him to strict ac- 
count for their faithful management. The 
personal record, therefore, of any one hold- 
ing a responsible position in a bank becomes 
a matter of public interest, and on occasion 
may be a matter of supreme concern to those 
who have dealings with the bank. 

To give 80 much of his business career as 
will be appropriate for the above purpose, as 
well as to preserve something of his personal 
history as a representative citizen of his 
locality, this sketch of W. R. O'Hearn, 
cashier of the Jackson (lonnty liank, of Black 
River Falls, Jackson County, Wisconsin, is 
written. 

The Jackson County Bank was organized 
in 187fi, with W. T. Price as President, II. 
B. Mills, Vice President, and Mr. O'llearn, 
Cashier. Mr. Price was succeeded by 11. B. 
Mills, and he in turn was succeeded by his 
son, T. B. Mills. Mr. O'Hearn has been 
cashier of this bank since its organization, 
and has given almost his entire time and at- 



tention to the practical management of the 
bank's affairs. The Jackson County Bank, 
although not large, having a paid up capital 
of $26,200, is nevertheless regarded as one 
of the best bankinij institutions in the coun- 
try. Its board of directors is composed of 
some of the l)est business men of the county 
of Jackson; all of its stock is owned by citi- 
zens of Jackson County, and the men who 
are interested in it in every way are also in- 
terested in the general welfare of the locality 
where it is, most of them in fact having 
made the money which they have invested in 
it out of other lines of business conducted 
side by side with it. This naturally brings 
to it a patronage and inspires in its manage- 
ment a confidence which could hardly come 
from any other source. But the work of 
building up the patronage and creating this 
confidence has not come as a matter of 
course. It represents time, patient labor, 
fair dealing and faithful attention to the 
rights as well as the necessities of the de- 
positing and borrowing public. This work 
has fallen largely to the lot of the cashier, 
the subject of this sketch. Mr. O'Hearn has 
labored faithfully and yet continues to labor 
faithfully at his post, giving to every detail 
of the l)ank's business his individual personal 
attention or close supervision, and he knows 
the bank's progress from day to day, the 
volume of its business, and the status of 
its afi'airs intimately. For this labor Mr. 
O'Hearn is well qualified by nature and ex- 
perience. All he has he has made himself. 
He therefore knows the value of a dollar; 
knows how to j)ut a proper estimate on the 
hard earnings of those who commit their 
savings to his custody. He is a hard worker 
himself, painstaking and faithfully exact. 
He is accommodating and pleasant to deal 
with. He has lived in the county since boy- 
hood, and can take as many men by the band 



323 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF 



and call them by name as any man in the 
county. He is quick to see and prompt to 
act; and while indulgent to those deserving 
of liis indulgence, he is nevertlieless positive 
with his word and requires the strictest ob- 
servance of all obligations. 

This report of Mr. O'llearn his neighbors 
and business associates give, and this much of 
his personal history and business career most 
of theiu know. Concerning his earlier history 
80 innch is not known by his fellow-towns- 
men, and for the purposes of this sketch it 
will be appropriate to state some further facts 
of this natnre. 

Mr. O'Hearn was born in the Dominion 
of Canada, January 15, 1843. He is the 
son of Thomas O'Hearn, a native of Canada, 
who came to the United States and fell in 
with th< great tide of pioneers and home- 
seekers making for the vast forests of Wis- 
consin, settling first in 1844 in Dodge 
County, and coming in 1855 to Jackson 
County, locating on the spot where the 
villaare of Melrose now stands. He was 
twice married, W. R. O'Hearn being the 
only issue of the first union; by the second 
marriage three children were born, one son 
and two daughters. He was a pioneer of 
Jackson County, and by occupation a farmer 
and mechanic, a plain, substantial man, 
having passed the greater part of his life in 
the industrious pursuit of agriculture, lead- 
ino- the steady, even and uneventful life 
common to that calling. 

Mr. O'Hearn himself was reared on the 
farm, being brought up mainly in Jackson 
County, and began life a farmer boy. He 
left the farm and engaged as book-keeper for 
D. J. Spaulding, and worked his way up in 
business circles until he gained the responsi- 
ble position ho is now filling. Politically he 
is a Republican, but is not an office-seeker. 
He is a member of the Board of Aldermen, 



has served on the County Board, and filled 
other offices that all good citizens are ex- 
pected to till. He married June 1, 1869, 
his choice falling on a girl he had known in 
his boyhood — Miss F'lora Johnson, daughter 
of Nelson D. Johnson, a native of New 
England, who moved to Jackson County in 
1856; the year following he returned to 
Massachusetts. Three children have been 
sent to the care and guardianship of Mr. and 
Mrs. O'Hearn, namely: Thomas, who was 
born September 10, 1870, and died January 
22, 1885, his loss producing an irrepressible 
grief, as he was an extraordinarily tine boy; 
Harry, born June IG, 1875; and Florence, 
January 21, 1884. 

Mr. O'Hearn's handsome residence is a 
standing monument of his success, and an 
evidence of the care and tlioughtfulness of a 
devoted husband and father, and the happiest 
moments of his life are those spent around 
its fireside in the company of his amiable 
wife and interesting children. In his domes- 
tic and social relations Mr. O'Hearn has been 
as happy as he has been fortunate in busi- 
ness, and it is not improbable that the two 
facts are due to the same soui-ce, namely: his 
fixed determination to be so, and the exercise 
of those qualities of head and heart which 
make possible such results. 

— ^'^ I ' Z ^' i '^r^ — 



AMUEL HOWDEN, of section 15, 
Eaton Township, was born in Canada 
West, forty miles north of Toronto, 
Auo-ust 15, 1843, the son of James Howden, 
a native of County Fermanagh, Ireland. He 
came to Canada when a young man, where 
he worked at his trade of wagon-making the 
remainder of his life, the last ten years of 
which was spent in County Lampton. Our 
subject's mother, nee Ann Hicks, a native of 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



323 



Ireland, died when Samuel was nine months 
old. He was brouirlit up on a farm, and also 
followed carpentering a number of years. In 
1863 he came to the United States, stopping 
fii-8t at West Salem, La Crosse County, which 
was his home for nine years. During the 
winters he worked in the pineries, and on a 
farm in the summers. He came to Clark 
County in the fall of 1872, locating in Eaton 
Township, which he has since made iiis 
home. When he first came here the Indians 
and wild animals were numerous, and the 
wolves made the nights hideous. Mr. How- 
den settled on his present farm in the spring 
of ISTl, where he owns eighty acres, one- 
fourth of which is cleared. 

He was married, October 3, 1870, to Hester 
Cummins, daughter of George E. (deceased) 
and Ivosanna M. (McMullen) Cummins, the 
former a native of Rochester, and the latter 
of Buffalo, New York. The father settled in 
La Crosse County in the fall of 1865, where 
he lived until his death. He was a soldier 
in the United States army during the late 
war. Mr. and Mrs. Howden have ten chil- 
dren, viz.: Lottie M., Maude R., Samuel J., 
James B., George F., Lillie M., Hester A., 
William M., Nellie F. and Harry C. Lottie 
married Oren Van Kirk, and has one child, 
Lee W. Mr. Howden never seeks office, but 
was j.revailed upon to assess the town in 
1889. Both he and his wife are members of 
the Methodist Church, and the former is a 
Republican in his political views. 



ILLIAM A. POWNDEK, of section 
14, Eaton Township, Clark County, 
was born in Belmont, Canada, April 
6, 1852, the son of Thomas (deceased) and 
Mary (Fitch) Pownder, the former a native 
of Kilkenny, Ireland, and the latter of Canada. 




They were the parents of seven children, 
namely: Dorinda, Joseph, William, Harriet, 
Mary, George and John. The father came to 
this county in 1856, where he was followed 
by the family the next year. They settled in 
Weston Township, where the father was for 
many years Town Clerk and Assessor. lie 
also followed lumbering every year until his 
death, which occurred on August 18, 1872. 
William A., our subject, has worked in 
the woods ever since he was sixteen years old, 
and for eleven years acted as foreman. He 
started a camp of his own in the winter of 
1889-'90. He drove logs many seasons. 
He settled on his present farm in May, 1885, 
where he owns eighty acres, fifty of which is 
cleared. He is engaged in general farming 
and stock-raising. Mr. Pownder was married, 
December 20, 1880, to Barbara, daughter of 
Samuel Hawk, of Catskill, New York, and 
they have one child, William Ray, born Oc- 
tober 21, 1882. Mr. Pownder is a member 
of the I. O. O. F. ; has been a member of the 
Town Board two terms, and also Assessor 
two terms. 



ARK B. WARNER, for whom the 
town of Warner was named, and one of 
thepioneerlumbermenof Black River 
Valley, section 15, Warner Township, was 
born in Wyoming, Genesee County, New 
York, August 0, 1819, the son of William H. 
and Abigail (Morey) Warner; the former, a 
native of Connecticut, and a farmer by occu- 
pation, filled several county ofhces in his 
time, and was also a soldier in the war of 
1812. They were the parents of three chil- 
dren: Dr. Henry, who died at the aire of 
fifty-nine years in Medina County, Oliio, 
where he had ])racticed medicine for thirty- 
seven years; Mark !>., the subject of this 




324 



BIOORAPHTCAL BISTORT OF 



sketch, and Cynthia Dei mock, who now re- 
sides in Medina County, Ohio. 

Mark D. Warner was reared to farm life, 
and received his education in the common 
schools of Medina County, where his parents 
had settled when he was a small boy. He 
came to Black River Falls in 1855, and first 
worked in the woods two years, and then, in 
company with others, began business for him- 
self, which he continued twenty-six years. 
At that time the Indians were numerous, but 
never molested him except to steal. He ex- 
plored the country during the summers, lo- 
cating, estimating and entering pine lands for 
other parties. There were no roads then 
except here and there a toat road on river 
banks, and farther back in the country there 
were only a few Indian trails. He often met 
Indians in the deep woods, but was never 
molested. A half-breed Indian, by the name 
of Joseph Eaton, worked for Mr. Warner four 
years, and the latter often took him on ex- 
ploring expeditions to carry provisions, blank- 
ets, etc. Mr. Warner has killed more game 
than any other man, and always had venison 
for his men in camp. He often killed bear 
for sport, letting them remain where he had 
shot them. He has explored to near Lake 
Superior, and in that country saw tracks of 
cariboo and moose, and also saw some of the 
latter that had been killed by other parties 
near the head waters of the Chippewa River. 
These pine lands have now all been bought 
by the Mississippi Logging & Boom Com- 
pany. Mr. Warner settled on his present 
farm in the fall of 1871, which was then 
dense woods, with no roads from this place 
to Greenwood, except a toat road. He now 
owns a fine farm of 320 acres, 130 of which 
is cleared. Prior to purchasing this place, 
Mr. Warner owned an interest in 200 acres 
in township 29, range 2 west, this county, 
which he helped to improve. In addition to 



his general farming, he is successfully en- 
gaged in raising graded short-horn cattle, 
graded Morgan and Black Hawk horses, and 
Poland-China and Berkshire hogs. He has 
been chaiiman of the Town Board; chairman 
of the County Board ; a member of the School 
Board several years; and was elected Justice 
of the Peace several times, but never served. 
Socially, he is a member of tiie I. O. O. F. 
fraternity, and politically a Democrat. 

Mr. Warner was married in July 1856, to 
Levina Richardson, who was born near Dix, 
Illinois, the daughter of David Richardson, 
deceased. Of their six children, five still sur- 
vive, namely: Leroy R., David, George, 
Gertrude and Henry. Leroy married Mary 
Hommel, lives in Greenwood and has two 
children: Bessie and Maud. David married 
Melissa Bowerman, lives on his father's farm, 
and has two children: Mark and Clement. 
George married Jennie Austin, lives at Hem- 
lock, and also has two children. 

- '• " ■ ■| ' S " t ' ^" «°' 



ENRY S. HUMKE,of section 29, War- 
ner Township, Clark County, was born 
in Hermann Township, Sheboygan 
County, Wisconsin, April 27, 1855, the son 
of Conrad Humke, a native of Detmold, 
Prussia, but now of Sheboygan County. He 
came to the United States in 1842, and first 
lived in or near Buffalo, New York, and then 
removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he chop- 
ped wood on the (3hio River several years. 
He subsequently came to Wisconsin, settling 
in Sheboygan County. Our subject's mother 
was born in Prussia, and was first married to 
a Mr. Bilker (see sketch of Frederick Bilker), 
but is now living at Franklin, Siiehoygan 
County, Wisconsin. She is the mother of 
eleven children, six of whotn still survive. 
Henry S. Humke, the subject of this sketch, 



Vl.AUK AM) JAC'KHON COUATIEH. 



325 



was reared on a t'ariu and received his ediica- 
tiuii in tile cominoii scliools of his native 
county. He has worked in the pineries eight 
winters, and during that time was engaojed in 
fanning and also drove logs during tiie springs 
and summers. He came to tliis county in 
1878 and settled on his present farm of 120 
acres, forty of which is cleared. When he 
first came to this place it was covered with 
timber, with not even a shanty on it, and the 
lirrit year he lived in a small log house. 

Mr. Humke was married November 18, 
1879, to Anna Kippeidian, who was liorn in 
Washington County, Wisconsin, August 5, 
1859, the daughter of Adam and Helen 
(Richter) Kippenhan; the former a native of 
Baden, Germany, came to tiie United States 
in 1852; the latter was born in I?aden also, 
and died August 19, 1890. Mr. and Mrs. 
Humke have had ei.x children: Theodore, 
Helen, Meda, Ella, Arthur and George. Tiie 
father lias been a member of the Side Board 
for two years, and is now serving as Town 
Treasurer. Religiously he is a meml)er of 
the iiet'ormed Inimanuel Church, and politi- 
cally a Republican. 




mARTIN NEVILLE, of secti-m 3, 
fm/.i^ Warner Township, and the second 
^^^^ settlor of his town, was born in Tar- 
kio, Missouri, November 11, 1841, the son 
of Patrick Neville (deceased), a native of 
County Wexford, Ireland. He came to Can- 
ada East when a young man, and tliere mar- 
ried Catharine Kelly, a native of County Kil- 
dare, Ireland. They subsequently emigrated 
to Missouri, where they lived but a fewyears, 
having been frightened away by Indians, and 
returned to Canada. Of their eight children, 
seven of them are now living: James, John, 
Mary, Bridget, Kate, Martin, Lizzie. The 



father died in 1879, and the mother in 1881, 
and both were buried in Canada East. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to 
farm life, and was educated in the coirimon 
schools near Quebec, Canada. When si.xteen 
years of age he went to Maine, where he spent 
four years in the pineries, and also loaded 
vessels with square timber. He was a con- 
tractor in the latter occupation for several 
years. In the fall of 1859 he removed to the 
Southern States, where he was engaired on a 
steamboat that winter, and the following win- 
ter on the Mississippi River, below New Or- 
leans, and also on the Missouri as far up as 
Council Bluffs. In 1863 he went to Austra- 
lia with a vessel loaded with pine and spruce 
lumber, and at Melbonrne his captain sold 
the ship, after which he returned to Liverpool, 
England, and thence to Quebec in a sail ves- 
sel. Mr. Neville then returned to Maine and 
worked again in the woods one winter, and 
the following spring went to Pennsylvania. 
In the fall of 1866 he came to Neillsville and 
that winter worked for Robert Ros.s in his 
logging camp, and on his farm the next spring. 
In July he bought a claim of 160 acres, which 
he homesteaded, and where he still resides, 
lie lived on this place seven years before 
proving it up. It was then covered with 
timber, and he had to clear a sufficient space 
to build a shanty. 

Mr. Neville was married July 29, 1869, to 
Mary J. Wright, who was born in Canada 
East in 1842, the son of James Wright, de- 
ceased. They have had nine children, eio-ht 
of whom are still living, namely: Alice M., 
Albert II., Mary I., Eliza, Martin L., Katie 
M., James and Anna M. The mother died 
February 27, 1884, after a brief illness of 
intiammation of the lungs. After her death 
Mr. Neville kept the eight children together, 
the eldest having been less than twelve years 
ohi at her death. Both he and his wife wer- 



326 



nwUUArUlCAL lUkTOUT OF 



members of tlie Catholic Church. For three 
inontlis lie never slept an hour, hut j^radually 
sleep came back to him for a few minutes at a 
time. His trials were almost unbearable, and 
many men would have succumbed. He has 
been School Treasurer for twenty-four years, 
and was also Road Overseer several years. 



[YRUS W. DEWEY.foremanofthe 
Withee estate, of 21,530 acres, in Long- 
wood, Hixton Township, Clark County, 
was born in Dodge County, Wisconsin, Sep- 
tember 10, 1850, the son of Cyrus and Achsa 
(Goff ) Dewey, both natives of New York State. 
The father was a pioneer of Dodge County, 
Wisconsin, where he died of typhoid fever 
when our subject was but four months old. 
The mother M'as afterward married to Henry 
Tooley, and they had two children, only one 
of whom still survives — Wilbur. They now 
reside in Loyal Township, this county. 

Cyrus W. left home at the age of thirteen 
years, and has depended upon his own re- 
sources since that time. He first lived in 
Adams County, this State, a short time, after 
which he lived with his grandfatiier, Theo- 
dore Gotf, in Columbia County, a few years. 
In 1868 he came to Clark County, where he 
worked in the woods two winters, and drove 
logs in the spring. He next began work in 
the logging camps, and has been foreman of 
the same ever since, except two winters. He 
has also been engaged in farming, but since 
Mr. Withee's deatii has put in his entire time 
as foreman for the estate. He owns a farm 
of 100 acres in Pine Valley Township, seventy 
of which is cleared, and all is rented to neigh- 
bors. Mr. Dewey was married October 9, 
1877, to Emma Tyler, who was born in the 
State of New York in 1857, the daughter of 
Nelson Tyler, of Ulster County, New York. 




Of their two children one is still living — 
Ancy, born November 17, 1878. Alice died 
June 17, 1890, at the age of seven and a half 
years, which was a sad blow to the family and 
friend^'. Mr. Dewey has held the office of 
Assessor, and was a member of the Side Board 
a few years in Pine Valley, and is now a 
member of the Masonic order at Neillsville. 
Mrs. Dewey is a member of the Presbyterian 
church of this city. 

— ■• " ■■ ^onr - ^" ■" — 

|MhILAN CORNELL, of section 16, 
Warner Township, Clark County, 
was born in Crawford County, Ohio, 
December 13, 1827, the son of Isaac and 
Priscilla (Morgan) Cornell, the former a 
native of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, 
and the latter of Virginia. The father was 
a farmer by occupation, and was also a soldier 
in the war of 1812. They were the parents 
of eleven children, four of whom are still 
living: Ira, Milan, Rebecca and Craig. The 
father had two children by a former marriage: 
Elizal>eth, now Mi-s. Funk; and Agnes, now 
Mrs. Case. In 1833 the parents emigrated 
to Porter County, Indiana, settling on a farm, 
where Milan was reared and received his edu- 
cation, in a log cabin with slab seats and a 
board on pins for desks. In 1849 he went 
via Panama to California, where he mined 
for gold two years, and then returned to Por- 
ter County, Indiana. His home for the past 
thirty years has been in Valparaiso, and is 
living here only temporarily. He owns 120 
acres of land in Porter County, besides two 
houses and four lots in Valparaiso. 

Mr. Cornell was married February 28, 
1854, to Cordelia Freeman, who was born in 
Onondaga County, New York, March 22, 
1834, the daughter of Azariah and Amanda 
(Grains) Freeman, both natives of Tolland 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



3.J7 



County, Connecticut, ami both now deceased. 
Mr. and Mrs. Cornell have liad two children: 
Genevieve and Kate L., both now dead. The 
former was married to Schuyler Williams, of 
Porter County, Indiana, and the latter, Kate, 
married Marion Baum (since deceased), and 
they had one child, Genevieve, born August 
13, 1884. She is a bright little girl, and the 
only heir to all the possessions of Mr. and 
Mrs. Cornell, which are very extensive. Mr. 
and Mrs. Baum had another daughter, Kebah 
Ethel, who died when thirteen months old. 
Mrs. Cornell owns 680 acres of land in this 
county, which she inherited from her father, 
who died in January, 1885. Mr. Cornell is 
a member of the I. O. O. F fraternity, and 
Mrs. Cornell is a member of a Rebekah lodge 
and W. R. C. 

tARV DRINKWIJSIE, of section 20, 
Warner Township, Clark County, and a 
pioneer of this town, was born in Paris, 
France, May 1, 1821, the son of George 
Drinkwine, deceased, a native of London, 
England. He brought his family to Mon- 
treal, Canada, in 1823, where Lary was 
brought up on St. Paul street, block No. 24, 
where the father kept a tavern. After reach- 
ing maturity, Mr. Drinkwine began farming 
in Canada, which he continued until the fall 
of 1854, in which year he came to Sheboy- 
gan County on the steamer Lady Elgin, 
which sprung a leak on the way, and Mr. 
Drinkwine and others were obliged to pump 
water. They finally landed in the harbor 
with no loss of life or property. Our sub- 
ject first worked on a farm in the vicinity of 
Sheboygan until 1861, when he enlisted in 
the late war, in Company B, Eighth Wis- 
consin Volunteer Infantry, and served three 
and a half years, participating in the battles 



of Mechanicsville, Missouri, Pilot Knob, 
luka, Coft'eeville, Holly Springs, Corinth, 
Pine Bluft', charge on Vicksburg, siege of 
Vicksburg, Red River campaign, Guntowii, 
Mississippi, and others. He was wounded 
three times: first on the forehead by a piece 
of shell, on the return from the Red River 
campaign; ne.\t through the left thigh in the 
charge on Vicksburg, and again in the left 
ankle at Guntown, the ball striking the bone 
and passing into the back part of the leg, 
where it still remains. He still suffers from 
the effects of these injuries. 

After the war Mr. Drinkwine returned to 
Sheboygan and worked on a farm until 1867, 
when he came to this county, settling in 
Warner Township, which he has ever since 
made his home. In 1870 he settled on his 
present farm of eighty acres, forty-five of 
which is cleared. There were no roads here 
at that time, and Mr. Drinkwine often 
walked to and from Neillsville, camping in 
the woods on his way, and one time carried 
fifty pounds of flour on his back. He would 
often put the flour on his neck and swim the 
river, as he conld not always get across on 
the boat. 

He was married in 1851 to Clarissa Ted- 
row, a native of Sherbrook, Canada, and they 
have had seven children, five of whom are 
now living: Lary, George, John, Villa and 
Violet. Villa married Otto Duell, of this 
city, and they have one child — Edward. 

— — S-^Hl— 



lEORGE DRINKWINE, of section 20, 
Warner Township, Clark County, was 
born in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, 
March 4, 1863, the son of Lary Drinkwine, 
whose biography appears in this work. The 
latter came to this county in 1867, and was 
followed the next year l)y his family. In the 



U28 



BlOOUAl'lIICAL UlbTOlir OF 



fall of 1870 they settled on their present 
farm, wliicli was then covered with timber, 
and sniTonnded by Indians and wild animals. 
Mr. Drinkwine has hunted a great deal, has 
killed over 100 deer, and has caught one bear 
in a trap. In November, 1890, he went deer 
hunting and succeeded in killing seven in a 
few days. He lias worked in the pineries 
during the winters, and on his farm in the 
summers. He owns eighty acres of land, 
forty-live of which is cleared, where he is 
engaged in general farming and stock-raising. 
Politically he affiliates with the Eepublicait 
party. 

— ^%-*^ ' * £ m ? '* ^ »^-■»— 



fLE C. CHRISTENSON, of section 28, 
Warner Township, Clark County, was 
born three miles from Trondjheni, Nor- 
way, July 18, 1839, the son of Christen 
Everson, who died when Ole was but ten 
weeks old. Of the parents' nine children, 
five are still living: Martha, Ever, Glaus, 
Christene and Ole. 

Mr. Christenson, our subject, came to the 
United States in 1860, locating near Black 
River Falls, Wisconsin, where he worked in 
the saw-mill of Andrew Shepherd, and the 
following winter was employed across the 
river by Andrew Gilbert. In 1866 he en- 
gaged in farming near the village of Taylor, 
Jackson County, and thence removed to Eau 
Claire County, this State, where he was en- 
gaged in the same occupation until 1870. 
In that year lie came to this county, Warner 
Township, and settled on his present farm of 
forty acres, twenty-tive of which is cleared. 

Mr. Christenson was married in Jackson 
County, September 23, 1863, to Miss Waren 
Knudson, who was born in Kratrero Town- 
ship, Norway, the dangliter of Knud Knue- 
son. They have had eleven children, nine of 



whom still survive, nauiely: Tholine M., Carl 
C, Marie ()., Johan A., Albert T., EmmaL., 
Louis E., Oline J. and Oscar A. Tholine M. 
married Louis Beadymaker, of Loyal Town- 
ship, this county, and has three children: 
Irvin, Clarence and Hazel. Marie is a dress- 
maker in Minneapolis. Mr. Christenson has 
been a member of the School Board three 
terms. Religiously he is a member of the 
Lutheran Church, and politically a Repub- 
lican. 

— <B» - ny i» ^ i i ^ « Y n.->oi 



LFRED C. ALTON, of section 23, War- 
ner Township, Clark County, was born 
in Allegany County, New York, Sep- 
tember 30, 1833, the son of George and Nancy 
(Kilmore) Alton, both deceased, the former a 
native of Vermont, atid the latter of the 
State of New York. Of their nine children, 
four are still living: Alfred, our subject; 
Mary, now Mrs. Preston, of Apalacliee, 
Florida; James W., of Allegany County, 
near Wellsville; and Lovina, now Mrs. Nes- 
bit, of Watertown, North Dakota. 

Alfred C, our subject, was reared to farm 
life and educated in the common schools of 
his native county. In the fall of 1859 he 
removed to Henry County, Illinois, thence to 
Eau Claire, Wisconsin, in 1863, where he 
engaged in plastering and the stone-mason's 
trade. In the fall of 1877 he came to this 
county and settled on his present farm of 
eighty acres, sixty- five of which is cleared. 
He first lived in a log shanty a kw years, and 
then built a good one-and-a-half story frame, 
the lumber for which he hauled from Green- 
wood and Neillsville, and also some from 
Beaver Township, this county. Mr. Alton 
was married in October, 1861, to Rose Ann 
Smith, the daughter of William (deceased) 
and Mary (McGuire) Smith, both natives of 



#,'■ 




s>- 











\^ 



VL^UtK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



329 



County Ferinanagh, Ireland, who eaiigrated 
to tlie United States in 1854. They were 
the parents of six cliildren, all of wliom are 
deceased but Mrs. Alton and her sister 
Emma. Mr. and Airs. Alton liave six chil- 
dren: Charles P., Mary, George, Ellen, John 
and Catherine A. Mary married Edward 
Borego, of Thorp, this county. Both parents 
are members of tlie Catholic Cliurcli, and the 
former is a Democrat politically. 






^LlVEIl O'llEARN, deceased, was born 
at Newport, Nova Scotia, November 
24, 18 — . When three years of age 
he embarked at Halifax on a packet vessel 
for New York. Dui'iiig tiie voyage the ves- 
sel was cast away on an island near Barnegat 
shoals in New Jersey, and he was exposed to 
the storm three days. "With other passen- 
gers he succeeded in reaching the main land, 
was picked up and landed in New York. He 
then took passage on the packet boat on the 
Erie Canal to Rochester, and then by vessel 
to Little York, now the city of Toronto, 
Canada. He was live years of age when his 
father died. His first schooling was at Rich- 
mond Hill, Canada, in a select school held in 
a log school-house, and he finished his edu- 
cation at Lewiston (New Y'ork) Academy. 
On account of limited means he left school 
at an early age, returned to Richmond Hill 
and learned the carpenter's trade with Mr. 
Newton, a Scotchman and master-workman. 
After serving his apprenticeship he came to 
Wisconsin, then a Territory, arriving at Fox 
Lake, Dodge County, September 4, 1844, 
where he worked at his trade for a short 
time; next for two years he was employed in 
Buffalo, in the ship-yards. In 184'.( he re- 
turned to Fox Lake, and in that year was 



married to Miss Phcebe S. Gritlin; their four 
children are all living, and in Jackson 
County. William R. O'Hearn is the only 
son. The daughters now bear the names of 
Mesdames S. D. Blake, G. J. Simpson and 
Ida Roddy. 

In 1852 Mr. O'Hearn went overland to 
California and spent two years in the mines, 
returning home by steamer in 1854. In 
1856 he came to Jackson County, settling in 
Melrose, and began working at his trade. In 
1859 he made a second trip to California by 
steamer, was wrecked on a coral reef and was 
"hung up" among the rocks for seven days. 
On his return home he began tiie cultivation 
of his farm, which he continued until 1805, 
when in November of that year he was 
elected Treasurer of Jackson County, to 
which othce he was re-elected for ten coti- 
secutive years, and which he was tilling at 
tiie time of his death, October 3, 1875. 

Oliver O'Hearn's love for his wife was 
something beautiful. Through his rugo-ed 
nature ran a poetic vein, and in that strain he 
fre(juently gave expression of his love for 
her, as the following poems, written when 
absent from her, will show: 

TO MY WIFE. 

Dear Pliebe, were we but together once more, 
There is naught in this witle world could teui|)t us 
to part; 
We'd renew the fond pledges we've miule o'er and o'er, 
And cherish that passion that springs from the 
heart. 

The raven that Noah let fly from the ark 

Keliirned without finding a home on the sea; 

And to me, like the raven, all's gloomy and dark: 
O, there's no place like home with my children and 
thee. 

But the gloom, like the waters, I hope will depart; 

Then back, like the dove, with glad tidings I'll soar; 
And when I can press thee again to my heart, 

I'll say, "God, thou hast blessed me; I ask lor no 
more." 



330 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF 



LINES TO PHEBE S. O'HEARN. 

(Composed at night while rolled up in his blanket, under an old 
oak tree near the Sacramento River.) 

When night her sable wings doth spread, 
Their shadows rest o'er land and sea, 

And all is silent as the dead ; 
'Tis then my thoughts return to thee. 

Youthful scenes go fleeting by; 

Memory tells of pleasures past; 
O, that lime could backward fly 

To those bright days, too clear to last! 

'Twas then true love, that magic power. 
First told my throbbing heart 'twas thine; 

And as you stood, a spotless flower, 
I took that trembling hand in mine. 

I think of Fanny's smiling face — 
My own sweet girl, to me so dear; 

I clasp her in my fond embrace, 
And joy brings forth the silent tear. 

Then sleep steals o'er me unawares; 

Its calm doth soothe the weary mind; 
I leave the world and all its cares. 

To dream of those I left behind. 

Durine his long term of office, and in fact 
during his entire life, he was conciliatory 
toward all men and all sects; and yet, when 
lie had made up hib mind to what he thought 
was a right course, no ties of friendship, no 
views of party policy, no hope of patronage, 
and no idea of expediency could swerve him 
from that course. His honesty and integrity 
were never questioned, and he has left to this 
community and to its rising generation the 
legacy of a character that is as strong as 
steel and as true and bright as gold. 



f<>IIN T. FARNING, a prominent lum- 
berman and proprietor of a saw-mill on 
section 27, Eaton Township, was born in 
Vermont, March 11, 1856, the son of Michael 
and Ann (Markey) Farning, both natives of 
Ireland. The father came to America when 
a young man, and in the fall of 1856 emi- 



grated to this county, and the following 
spring settled on section 6, Grant Township, 
where he cleared a farm. He taught school 
during the winters, having been a college 
graduate and a very fine scholar. He was a 
soldier in the late war, in Company I, Second 
Wisconsin Cavalry, and participated in many 
battles, including Vicksburg, Shiloh, Corinth 
and many others. He was wounded at Vicks- 
burg, from which he afterward recovered, but 
died from chronic diarrhoja while in the 
service. Of Mr. and Mrs. Farning's four 
children, three survive: William, .Fohn and 
Franklin. One son, Robert, died at the age 
of twenty-nine years. 

The subject of this sketch has lived in this 
county most of his life, excepting four years 
spent in Marshfield, Wisconsin, where he was 
engaged in the livery business. In 1887 he 
bought a saw-mill in this county, and the 
following year moved to this city, where he 
saws and ships his lumber mostly to Janes- 
ville. He was married May 1, 1888, to Mar- 
tha Christie, a daughter of James Christie, 
deceased. They have one child, Annie Belle, 
born October 19, 1889. 



IIILO MEAD, of section 34, Ilixton 
Township, Clark County, was born in 
Dutchess County, New York, March 
22, 1851, the son of Daniel Mead, who was 
born, reared and still resides on the old home- 
stead in Dutchess County. Our subject's 
mother, Sybil Davis, was also a native of the 
same place. Of their ten children, nine are 
still living, namely: Angeline, Carrie, Catha- 
rine, Aiken, Henry, Philo, Alexander, Clara 
and Orlando. One daughter, Laura, died at 
the age of sixteen years. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on a 
farm, and educated in the public schools of 



ULARK AJ^D JACKbON VOUJSTIES. 



831 



l)is native coiiutv. In 1874 lie came to this 
county, and fur four years thereafter worked 
for liis cousin, the lion. Harry Mead. He 
settled on his present farm of eighty acres in 
1878, and has since cleared twenty acres of 
this tract. Ho has worked in the pineries 
nearly every winter since coming to this 
county. Mr. Mead was married April 25, 
1878, to Rachel Syth, who was born in Lon- 
don, Canada, the daughter of Thomas and 
Kachel (Stewart) Syth; the latter is deceased, 
and the former has been a resident of this 
county over twenty years. Mr. and Mrs. 
Mead have two children, Estella and Maud 
P. Mr. Mead has been Assessor of his town 
two years, and is now serving as Town Treas- 
urer. Politically he is a Republican, and 
both he and his wife are members of the 
Metliodist Episcopal Church. 



•o*-.|.tJ» 



►>^^. 



fUHN GILBO, of section 32, Ilixton 
Township, Clark County, and the pio- 
neer of his locality, was born in Bran- 
don Township, Ontario, in 1840, the son of 
Toussaint (deceased) and Margaret (Lenault) 
Gilbo, natives of Canada, and the former of 
French parentage. Of the parents' ten children, 
eight survive: Clement, Albert, Rose, Joe 
Margaret, John, Alfred and Joseph. Our sub- 
ject came with his parents to Orleans County, 
JSfew York, in 1850, where the father died a 
year later of dropsy, after which, in 1802, 
the family removed to Pontiac, Michigan. 
John enlisted in the late war, in Company F, 
Third New York Volunteer Infantry, served 
over two years, was in several battles, and 
was wounded at Swan's Quarters, having 
been shot three times. He was sent to the 
hospital at Newbern, North Carolina, and 
finally sent home on a furlough, but was 
never able to return, and was never dis- 



charged. After i\w war he came to Pontiac, 
Michigan, and in 1870 to this county, set- 
tling on his present farm, then covered with 
heavy timber. He was surrounded by wild 
animals and Indians, the latter being harm- 
less, yet often became drunk and passed his 
cabin whooping and yelling. He could stand 
at his cabin and shoot a deer any day, and 
bears were also very numerous. Mrs. Gilbo 
has eiften lived seven months at a time with- 
out seeing the face of a white wotnan, and 
has had to work hard to help earn the living, 
as her husband was sick much of the time. 
Mr. Gilbo now owns eighty acres of good 
land, thirty of which is cleared. 

He was married January 28, 1865, to 
Mary Dorsey, who was born in Toronto, 
Canada, July 5, 1840, the daughter of Jesse 
(deceased) and Mary (Covillaud) Dorsey, the 
former a native of Coteau du Lac, and the 
latter of St. Anns, Quebec. Mr. and Mrs. 
Gilbo have had one child, who died in in- 
fancy. Mr. Gillio is a member of the G. A. 
R. post, and both he and his wife were 
brought up to the Catholic faith, l)ut have 
not been identided with any church of late; 
the latter is educated in both French and 



Enirlieh. 



-^ "I ' ^ ' S ' I" ' 



PIIRAIM A. P,OARDMAN, jnoprietor 
I. of a saw-mill and lumberyard at Thorp, 
Clark County, w'as l)orn in Tioga County, 
Pennsylvania, March 17, 1837, the son of 
Benoni Boardman, deceased, a native of Cat 
taraugus County, New York. The latter re- 
moved with his parents to Pennsylvania, 
when a boy, later to Olmsted County, 
Minnesota, and in the spring of 1853 settled 
on a farm among Indians and wild animals. 
Ephraim remained on this place until 1872, 
when he came to this county, and entereti 



332 



BIOOBAPHICAL UlSTOHY OF 



160 acres of land on the east side of the road, 
on sections 30 to 29, Withee Townsliip, which 
now constitutes a part of the village of Thorp. 
He built the first house in this place, which 
was a round-log cabin, 16 x 24 feet, all in one 
room. This also served as a dry-goods and 
grocery store, and he was therefore the first 
merchant of Thorp. The next store was built 
by L. O. Garrison in 1881, and the same 
year Thomas O. Mosher built and conducted 
a hardware store. The place now contains 
eiglit stores, three blacksmith shops, liarness 
shop, two art galleries, eight saloons, three 
physicians and one attorney. 

Mr. Boardman was married February 13, 
1860, to Savilla L. Fults, who was born in 
JNew York State, the daughter of Joseph 
Fults. They have had eight children, three 
of whom survive: Anson, Grace and Melvin, 
— all at home. The deceased are: Owen, 
Frankie and Laura, and two died in infancy. 
Mr. Boardman was chairman of the Town 
Board two years, Town Treasurer one year, 
and is now Vice Grand of the L. O. O. F. 
lodge. Politically he affiliates with the Dem- 
ocratic party. 



fAMES A. COVERT, engineer in Nye, 
Lusk & Hudson's mill at Thorp, Clark 
County, was born in Greene County, 
Wisconsin, January 16, 1858, the son of 
James M. and Martha (Martin) Covert, natives 
of Ohio. They had thirteen children, only 
seven of whom survive, viz.: Enoch M., Mar- 
tha J., James A., Anna V., Claude E., Min- 
nie and Clark A. Lncindadied in Ilnmbird, 
October, 1890, at the age of forty-four 
years. She was the wife of Benjamin Web- 
ster, proprietor of the Webster House at 
Ilumbird. The eldest daughter, Nancy, died 
at the age of twenty-one years; Sarah died 



in Lincoln, Nebraska, in the summer of 1888, 
at the age of thirty-eight years; she was the 
wife of Charles Neyhart, a harness-maker of 
Lincoln, Nebraska. James M. Covert, the 
father of our sul)ject, served three years in 
the late war, in Company K, Twenty-second 
Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, after which he 
settled in Broad head, where he has since re- 
sided. 

The subject of this sketch was educated in 
the private schools of Broadhead, and in 
June, 1880, came to Thorp, where he worked 
on tiie railroad, which was then being built 
to this place. He entered the employ of his 
present firm in the fall of 1881, and since that 
time has had charge of the engine and all 
machinerj' in the basement. 

He was married March 16, 1877, to Lillie, 
daughter of George Leslie, of Thorp. They 
have four children: Zora, Ida, Maud and 
Frank. All are at home, and the three eldest 
are attending school. Socially Mr. Covert is 
a member of the Sons of Veterans, and po- 
litically a Republican. 



fOHN T. HERTEL, proprietor of the 
depot saloon of Thorp, was born in Al- 
sace, France, January 3, 1858, the son of 
Peter Hertel, deceased, a native of the same 
country. He was the father of six children, 
three of whom still survive, and two, John 
and Joseph, are in Alsace, France. John T., 
our subject, came to the United States in 
1872, and first lived seven months in New 
York city, and in March, 1873, removed to 
Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, where he 
worked at the baker's trade nine years. In 
July, 1887, he came to Thorp, where he has 
since remained. 

Mr. Hertel was married September 8, 1873, 
to Louise Hartel, a daughter of John D., of 



GLARE AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



333 



Sheboygan County. They have eight chil- 
dren: Louise, Einil, Annie, Lena, Josephine, 
Franl\, Magojie and Katie. The motlier died 
Novemher 30, 1889. Religiously Mr. Ilertel 
is a Catholic. 



fEORGE E. McEWEN, Superintentend 
of Spaulding's mill, lumberyard and 
store, on section 33, Ilixton Township, 
C'lark County, was horn in Lycoming County, 
Pennsylvania, March 8, 1865, the son of 
John A. (deceased) and Rebecca (Bacon) 
McEwen, natives of Pennsylvania. The 
father was for many years jiroprietor of a 
saw-mill in Williamsport, Pennsylvania; the 
mother still lives in the latter city. Tiie 
parents had eight children, six now living: 
Daniel H., a member of the firm of Glass & 
McEwen, of MinneapiJis; Seth C, superin- 
tendent of a lumber yard in Williamsport, 
Pennsylvania; Henry A., a lumberman of the 
same place; Lucius, superintendent of 250 
men in a lumber camp of Gnll River, Min- 
nesota; George E., our subject, and William 
A., engaged in running logs at Sparrow's 
Point, Maryland, on Chesapeake Bay. 

The subject of this sketch was reared and 
educated in the city schools and also in the 
Williamsport Commercial College, under Pro- 
fessor F. E. "Wood. Pie worked in the saw- 
mill there for some time, and then, in 1885, 
went to North Landing, Virginia, where he 
superintended the saw-mill and lumberyard 
of Reeves, Oatinan <t Co., of New York city 
for about eight months. The climate there 
not permitting him to remain, he resigned 
his position and returned home, but in Au- 
gust, 1886, came to this county, and worked 
at the carpenter's trade a week at Unity. 
Ne.\t he ran a saw-mill at Butternut, Ash- 
land County, on Butternut Creek, for II. L. 



Bessie, after which he went into the pineries 
and scaled logs for the firm of Bessie & Ce- 
menger, on the North Fork of Flambeau 
River, and next in the pine lands of Chip- 
pewa for the Logging & Boom Company. 
Mr. McEwen came to his present place in 
May, 1887, where he has since had charge 
of the large business of D. J. Spaulding, 
whicii consisted of one large steam saw-mill, 
a planing-mill, lumberyard and store. They 
ship the lumber mostly to points in Iowa, 
also to Mexico and Arizona. 

He was married December 24, 1888, to 
Etta Darling, who was born in Nelsonvillo, 
Portage County, Wisconsin, April 6, 1869, 
the daughter of F. H. Darling, of Unity, 
Marathon County, Wisconsin. Socially Mr. 
McEwen is a member of the Modern Wood- 
men; religiously he is a Presbyterian. 

YLVESTER COLLINS, of section 36, 
Thorp Township, Clark County, was 
born in the district of Gaspy, Lower 
Canada, January 25, 1843, the son of 
James and Jane (Sweiley) Collins, both na- 
tives of Canada, Tiie parents had eleven 
children, six of whom are still living, viz.: 
James, Ambrose, Francis, Charles, Philip and 
Sylvester. All live in Canada except Charles 
and Sylvester. The latter was engaged in 
farming and fishing in Canada until in Oc- 
tober, 1868, when he came to Eau Claire, 
Wisconsin, where ho first worked in the 
logging camps, continuing for foui-teen years. 
He then came to Thorp Township in the 
spring of 1878, wiiere he lived in a catnp five 
tniles west of Thorp for five and a half years. 
In tiie fall of 1883 he came to his r)resent 
farm, where he first lived in an ol<i shanty 
formerly used by pai"ties when building tho 
turnpike. I'revious to this, however, lie 



334 



BIOGRAPHICAL BISTORT OF 



rafted lumber on the Cliippewa River for the 
Northwestern Lumber Company, and also 
watched the camps. During this time, or 
previous to moving to Thorp, he returned to 
Canada, and remained one and a half years. 
He now owns eighty acres of good land, 
twenty-seven of which he has since cleared. 

Mr. Collins was married, May 10, 1873, to 
Ada Gardner, who was born in Marquette 
County, Wisconsin, September 23, 1852, the 
dauo-hter of John Gardner, deceased. She 
was the youngest of fourteen children, seven 
of whom are now living, namely: Sarah, 
Elizabeth, Ambrose, Eliza, Jeffery, Ephraim 
and Ada. Both the father and mother were 
natives of Wayne County, New York. Mr. 
and Mrs. Collins had four children, three 
now living: Miami E. (commonly called 
Amy), Katie E. and S. Berton. The eldest 
daughter is a teacher in district No. 3, Thorp 
Township. In his political views Mr. Col- 
lins is a Republican. 

•^* % ' l ** l ' % 



f IIOMAS K. THOMPSON, proprietor 
of a saloon in Withee, Clark County, 
was born in Northern Norway, No- 
vember 19, 1841, the son of Austin Tiioinp- 
son, deceased. Thomas came to the United 
States in 1866, and first lived at Lock Rose, 
Wisconsin. He has worked in the pineries 
nearly all his life, in both the old country 
and this State. He came to Withee in 1883, 
where for three or four years he was foreman 
in different camps, and for about thirteen 
years worked for C. C. Washburn, the noted 
millionaire and lumberman. He began his 
present business in 1883, and now keeps all 
kinds of imported and native wines and liq- 
uors, but never sells to an intoxicated man. 
If a man becomes drunk he takes him into 
his house, feeds him, and takes care of iiim 



until he becomes sober. He is a jolly old 
bachelor, and is a member of the Wisconsin 
Anti-Prohibition Association. 



USTAV POPPE (commonly called 
John), of section 20, Hixton Township, 
Clark County, was born near Frankfort- 
on-tiie-Oder, August 31, 1856, the son of 
Ernest R. Poppe, whose biography appears 
in this work. The latter brought his family 
to Canada in 1858, settling in the county of 
Perth, and in 1872 came to Sheboygan Coun- 
ty, Wisconsin, and the same fall settled on 
the old homestead on the northwest quarter 
of section 20, Hixton Township, where he 
still lives. Our subject has been engacred in 
himbering, farming and also in driving logs. 
He was married, October 8, 1879, to Au- 
gusta Kotzer, a daughter of William Kotzer, 
of this township. They have had five chil- 
dren, four now living: Louise, Lora, Edward 
and George. In 1879 Mr. Poppe settled on 
his present farm of 113 acres, thirty of 
which he has since cleared. Politically he 
attiliates with the Democratic party. 



jUGUST J. HANSMANN, of section 
U^% 28, Withee Township, Clark County, 
was born in Manitowoc County, Wis- 
consin, December 1, 1857, the son of Chris- 
tian Ilansmann, a native of Germany, born 
December 24, 1824. He came to the United 
States when thirty-seven years of age, and 
now resides in Manitowoc County. The 
parents had ten children, viz.: William 
August, John, Fred, Christian, Mary, Annie, 
Minnie, Emma and Ida. 

August J. was reared on a farm and edu- 
cated iu the common and parochial schools. 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



335 



lie came to this county in the fall of 1882, 
where he worked at the carpenter's trade in 
Thorp until January 24, 1888, when he caine 
to his present farm of 120 acres, twenty-six 
of which is cleared. He still works at iiis 
trade during the summers, engaged in logging 
.in the winters, and clears land in the spring. 
He was married, January 12, 1888, to 
Minnie Thiel, daughter of William Thiel, of 
Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. They had 
one child, who died in infancy. Mr. Hans- 
mann has been School Clerk one term, and is 
now serving as School Director. Both he 
and his wife were brought up in the religious 
belief of the Evangelical Church. 



..^e^, , f . ? 



I^ETIMAN THIEL, of section 16, Withee 
Township, Clark County, was born in 
the Province of Pomerania, Prussia, 
February 3, 1855, the son of William 
Thiel, a native of the same province. The 
latter brought his family to the United States 
in the spring of 1871, settling in the woods 
in Manitowoc County, where they still reside. 
The parents had five children: Herman, 
Albertine, now Mrs. Ileseberg, of this town- 
ship; William; Minnie, who married August 
J. Hansmann; and Louisa, who lives with her 
parents. 

Herman Thiel, our subject, was reared on 
a farm in his native country, and since com- 
ing to the United States has learned to read 
aiul write the English language by his own 
efl'orts. Before marriage he worked tiviB or 
six years in the pineries of Menominee 
County, Michigan. He came to this county 
in March, 1880, and settled on his present 
farm of 120 acres, forty-five of which he has 
since cleared. He has held the office of Town 
Supervisor two years, and has been School 
Director ever since coming to this county. 



Mr. Thiel was united in marriage in Mani- 
towoc County, Wisconsin, February 29, 1880, 
to Albertine Roesler, a native of Prussia, 
born December 12, 1860, the daughter of 
Charles Roesler, deceased. They have four 
children, namely: Ida, Agnes, Louise and 
Amanda. 



•=5«J- 



REN HANK has been a resident of 
Clark County for many years. He lives 
on a farm of 166 acres, located on sec- 
tion 1, Lewis Township, which, from a wil- 
derness he has developed into its present 
productive state. 

Mr. Hank was born in Vermont, Novem- 
ber 27, 1837, son of Oren and Susannah 
Hank. He received a fair education in his 
native State, and at the age of nineteen began 
to work out for himself. At first he i-eceived 
$13 per month, and after he came to Wiscon- 
sin and was employed in the woods he earned 
$50 a month. Of their family of seven chil- 
dren who came to Clark County, Wisconsin, 
all are still living. The subject of our sketch 
was married in this State, January, 5, 18 — , 
to Ruth Clark. At the time of iiis marriage 

to 

he had but little means and began life in an 
humble way. Prosperity, however, has at- 
tended his labors, and he is now in a position 
to enjoy tlie comforts of life. He is a Re- 
publican, and one of Clark County's best 
citizens. 



^LBURTIS NEFF was born in New 
York, March 17, 1821, son of Irwin 
and Polly Neff, natives of that State. 
When he reached his majority he began the 
struggle for life, working out by the day 
and month, receiving small wages for his 



336 



BIOORAPUWAL ni8T0RT OF 



labor. Mr. Neft' lias been twice married. Bj 
liis first wife, nee Mary Babcock, lie had four 
children, three of whom are now living. He 
came to Clark County, Wisconsin, in 1867, 
and in that year, on the 27th of May, he wed- 
ded Isabel Short, a native of New York. Her 
ancestors camp from Scotland. 

Like many of the early settlers of Wiscon- 
sin, Mr. Neflf spent a number of years in the 
logging business. He has been a hard work- 
ing man all his life, and is now the owner of 
a nice little farm, located live miles from 
Neillsville, on section 1, Lewis Township. 
He affiliates with the Republican party. 



fj. GREEN, an enterprising farmer of 
Clark County, and the son of a Wis- 
* cousin pioneer, lives on a farm on sec- 
12, Lewis Township. He was born in Rich- 
land County, Wisconsin, near Janesville, July 
11, 1846. His parents, H. H. and Abigail 
Green, were among the early settlers of that 
part of the State. None, perhaps, of the first 
settlers were better or more favorably known 
than was H. H. Green. At an early day he 
located near Janesville, where he engaged in 
the hotel business, and, among the travelers 
throngiiout Wisconsin, was known as a kind 
and accommodating landlord. He subse- 
quently removed to La Crosse County and 
bought 160 acres of land, upon which he took 
up his abode, and where he died in 1878. 

In 1858 the subject of our sketch made a 
short visit to the State of California, return- 
ing in the same year to Wisconsin. Novem- 
ber 7, 1870, he was united in marriage with 
Margaret Allen. They have an interestincr 
family of two children, who are being liber- 
ally educated. At this writing one of them 
is attending college at La Crosse. Since his 
marriage Mr. Green has been engaged in 



farming and in the lumber business. He 
also, for a short time, kept a livery stable in 
Minnesota. In 1882 he came to Clark County 
and settled in Neillsvile, where he worked in 
a saw-mill. His attention is now given to 
agricultural pursuits, and he resides on his 
farm of 160 acres, forty of which are im- 
proved. 



^OLOMON FORDGER JOSEPH, one 

of the prominent business men of 
Neillsville, Wisconsin, was born in Cat- 
taraugus County, New York, July 23, 1848. 
His father died in Genesee County, that 
State, in 1876. Solomon was the second of 
a family of three children. He began to work 
on a farm when he was eight years old and 
worked for his board and clothes until he was 
sixteen. His education was obtained in the 
common schools of Wisconsin. When he 
was twelve years old his mother hired him 
out to a farmer in Columbia County, Wis- 
consin, with the understanding that he was 
to have three months' schooling in the win- 
ter. The farmer did not come up to the 
terms of his agreement and refused to let the 
boy attend school. From being imposed upon 
and kept away from school, young Joseph 
became indignant, and, as another man had 
ofl'ered to hire him and give hiin six months' 
schooling during the winter, he decided to 
run away. This, however, was not such an 
easy matter, as the sequel proved. He care- 
fully packed his clothes, let them down with 
a rope from the second story window, crept 
down stairs in his stocking-feet, secured his 
bundle and started for the home of the gentle- 
man who had made him such a liberal offer. 
Ere he reached his dt'Stination he was over- 
taken by his employer and was compelled to 
return with him and remain until his time 




y^'o/^ ^^c^j^^co-, 



CLARK AND JACKSO.V COUNTIES. 



337 



liad expired, wliicli was one year. It is 
gcarcely needless to say that lie is in favor ot 
tlie Bennett law. 

When he was eighteen years old Mr. Jo.-eph 
entered railroad employ, working at teleg- 
raphy in Colnmbia County. In 186() he 
enj^aged in a general store in Rio, same 
count}'. By the time he was twenty-one lie 
had saved up $350. About this time he was 
seized with a desire to go further West and 
found his way to Lake Benton, Minnesota. 
He subsequently returned to AVisconsin and 
settled at Poynette, where for six months he 
worked at the carpenter's trade. In 1868 he 
learned the harness trade there, and in 1872 
he came to Neillsville and enmijced in the 
harness business. • 

January 15, 1872, Mr. Joseph married 
Nellie E. Dale, daughter of lion. K. O. Dale, 
of Poynette, a member of the Assembly of 
Wisconsin in 1873. She was born at Lowell, 
Massachusetts, September 23, 1849, and her 
education was obtained in the common schools 
of Wisconsin. She had an unusually 1)right 
intellect and was engaged in teaching from 
the time she was sixteen until she was twenty. 
Her death occurred June G, 1890, and her 
remains were interred at Neillsville. A most 
estimable woman and an earnest Christian, 
her departure was a source of bereavement 
not only to her own family but to a large 
circle of friends. For a number of years she 
was organist of the Presbyterian Church, of 
which she was a consistent member. Their 
family of four cliiMren are as follows: Flor- 
ence, Edith, Syudol and Hayes T. 

Mr. Joseph is independent in his political 
views. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. 
and has twice been a representative to the 
Grand Lodge. He is High Chief Ranger of 
the Ancient Order of Foresters, and was a 
representative to the Superior Court of For- 
esters held at New York city June 14, 1881, 

23 



every State being represented, and Canada as 
well. 



ICHOLAS ANDREWS, a farmer re- 
siding in section 19, Alma Township, 
Jackson County, was born in Germany, 
December 30, 1837. He came with his 
parents to America in 1850 and located on 
Long Island, where they remained one year 
and then came West. They made their home 
in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, two years 
before coming to Jackson County. At the 
age of fifteen Nicholas began working out by 
the month. He hired to an old sea captain 
on Black River at $15 a month, and after he 
had been working two months his employer 
came to him and said he found it necessary 
to increase his wages to $26. This of course 
was pleasing information to the youth, who 
thought lie would be independently rich in a 
short time if he could earn that amount 
while so young. Mr. Amlrews has had an 
extensive experience on the river and in the 
lumber business. For fifteen years he was a 
pilot on the Mississippi River from La Crosse 
to St. Louis, and was interested in the lum- 
ber business until 1882. In that y(*ar he 
turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. 
He has long been a i-esideut of Jackson 
County, having first settled here in 1853. 
Mr. Andrews has been successful in his many 
undertakings; has a big warehouse ami a 
large interest in a Houring-mill at Merrillon. 
In 1887 he built a cimmodious residence, 
where with his family he is surrounded by 
the comforts of life. 

Mr. Andrews was married March 25, 1875, 
to Maggie Henderson, daughter of Adam 
Henderson, of this county. Her ancestors 
came to this country from Scotland. Mr. 
and Mrs. Andrews have five children living. 



338 



BIOORAPUICAL HISTORY OF 



and four deceased. He is a member of 
the Masonic order and also of the I. O. 
O. F. They are associated with the Lutheran 
Ciiurch. 

S ' Si ' t ' l" ^ 



jANIEL KENNEDY, one of the prom- 
inent citizens of Clark County, resides, 
with liis wife, a lady of culture and 
refinement, in their beautiful residence in 
North Neillsville. Mr. Kennedy was born 
in Maine, October 20, 1844, and received 
his education in the district schools of his 
native State. His parents both died in Maine. 
At the acre of twenty-two the subject ot 
this sketch came West and located in Clark 
County, Wisconsin, in the fall of 1866. 
Here he has made a deal of money in the 
lumber business, and he also has farming in- 
terests in this county. 

Mr. Kennedy is a Republican, an advocate 
of the Bennett law and a prominent politi- 
cian. He is a member of the Town Board of 
Neillsville. 



fOSEPIl BUNGEA, of section 29,Withee 
Township, Clark County, was born in 
the district of Montreal, Canada, August 
1-5, 1851, the son of Leon and Adelaide 
(Touchette) Bungea; the former, now de- 
ceased, was a native of St. Martins, Canada, 
and of French parentage. The parents had 
six children, only two of wliom survive: 
Emily, now Mrs. Mitchell La Fleur, of St. 
Anicet, Huntingdon County, Canada East; 
and Joseph, our suliject. The latter emi- 
grated fi'om Canada to Black River Falls in 
August, 1865, where he worked for D. J. 
Spaulding two and a half years, and in the 



winter of 1867- '68 came to this county and 
worked in the pineries on Black River. He 
has also worked in the camps as cook during 
the winters, and has tilled every position from 
cutter to toater and cook. He settled on 
his present farm in the fall of 1872, where 
he took up a homestead and built a shanty. 
Mr. Bungea was mairied, Sei)teml)er, 1873, 
to Martha A., daughter ot William A. Buyait, 
deceased. They have seven children: 
Fidelia., Cliesley O., Bertha, Clayton, Frank, 
Larry and Mary. Both he and his wife are 
members of the Catholic Church, and the 
former has served as Road Overseer and 
School Clerk. 



•>^ 



USTIN BUTTERY is a native of Can- 
ada West, born in Petersburgh, May 8, 
1844. His parents, John and Jane 
Buttery, were born in England and died in 
Canada. Austin was their ninth child. He 
received his education in Canada, and in Feb- 
ruary, 1862, came to Wisconsin. The year 
before he made a prospecting tour through 
Montana and Nevada, after which he returned 
to Wisconsin. In 1864 he settled in Jeffer- 
son County. Much of Mr. Buttery's life 
has been spent in the woods and in saw-mill 
work. 

He was married in 1871, Katie D. Bart, a 
native of New York, born in 1854. Her 
parents were among the early settlers of Wis- 
consin. He and his wife are giving their 
children the benefit of a good education in 
the district schools. In 1867 Mr. Buttery 
took a homestead claim in Clark County. It 
consists of 200 acres and is located on section 
12, Lewis Township. When he moved to this 
place wild game was abundant, and the ex- 
penditure of much time and labor has been 
required to bring the property to its present 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



339 



improved condition. The subject uf mir 
sketch is considered one of the substantial 
citizens of the tovvnsliip in which he resides. 
He lias been School Sujiervisor and Clerk of 
tiie School Board, and has also served one 
year as Assessor of the townsliip. In political 
matters lie is independent, voting for tlie man 
ratlier than tlie party. 

S^ ^ *^ 
- - - ., "■ 1 1 < £ * ■ . * " » * * 



«L. CHANDLER, a retired former 
who resides in Neilisville, Wisconsin, 
" was born in Potsdam, New York, 
December 2, 1823. His parents, Samuel 
and Sarah Chandler, natives of Vermont, 
settled in St. Lawrence County, New York, 
where they spent their lives and died. Seven 
ciiiidren were born to them, all sons. Tliree 
of them remained with tlieir father until they 
were twenty-two years old, working in the 
logging camps and also running a saw-mill 
for five years. 

When he was twenty-five years old the 
subject of our sketch came to Wisconsin and 
settled in Fine Valley, where he bought a 
farm of 200 acres — the oldest farm in Clark 
County. He had but limited tneans when 
he came to this State, but by good invest- 
ment of what little he had, by judicious man- 
agement of that and by much hard work he 
lias acquired a competency and is now in a 
position to enjoy the comforts of life in his 
old age. Mr. Chandler has been twice mar- 
ried. By his first wife, a Vermont lady, he 
had two ciiiidren, one of wiiom, Ella, is living 
and is married and settled in life. For his 
second wife he chose Mary Jane Burk, whom 
he wedded in New York. She is a lady of 
education and culture and an old teacher, 
hiving taught twenty-two terms in New 
York and this State. Two ciiiidren have 
been born to them. Bell and Carl. The for- 



mer is married and the latter is onj^a^ed in 



teacliinof. 






fAMES DE LANE, proprietor of the 
De Lane House, Neilisville, Wisconsin, 
was born in the Empire State, Novem- 
ber 24, 1839. His youth wa^ spent in New 
York and his education was obtained in the 
common schools. When James was five voars 
old his father died in that State. He came 
West and at theatre of thirteen, l)eii:an to learn 
the traile of blacksmith and wagon-maker, at 
Racine. Wisconsin, and when he was sixteen 
lie settled in Jackson County, being employed 
at his trade in Black River Falls. He I'e- 
mained at the latter place until he was twenty- 
three years old. In that year, November 11, 
he was married to Mira Wilson, daughter of 
Dyer Wilson, a merchant of Illinois. Pre- 
vious to her marriage Mrs. De Lane attended 
school at Black River Falls. Her father is 
deceased and her mother is still living. This 
union has been blessed with three children: 
William, May and Daisy. They all have the 
benefit of good educational advantasres, and 
the son is preparing for the medical profes- 
sion, now being a student under Dr. Mallory. 
Mr. De Lane enlisted in the First AViscon- 
sin Battery, September 10, 1861, ami did his 
part bravely in many of the important en- 
gagements of the civil war. Among the 
prominent actions in which ho was engaged 
we mention the Red River Expedition, the 
battles of Vicksbiirg, Cumberland Gap, Black 
Riv^er Bridge, Cliamj)ion Hills and Jackson 
Church. After a faithful service of three 
years the subject of our sketch was honorably 
dischartjed, in 1864. 

He was engaged in wagon-making until he 
met with an accident which disable 1 him 
from following that vocation. During a 



340 



BIOORAPHICAL UISTOIiX OF 



soldiers' reunion he had an arm blown off by 
a cannon. Mr. De Lane engaged in his pres- 
ent business in Clark County ten years ago. 
As a hotel-keeper lie is a success. Large- 
hearted, generous, and public-spirited to a 
fault, he is widely known as a most popular 
landlord. lie had little means with which to 
begin life and the success he has achieved is 
d\ie to his own efforts. 



•' ^ • ^"S * ^ ^ 



fACOB H. CLARK, confectioner, Meril- 
ion, Wisconsin, was born in West Troy, 
New York, July 15, 1845. He is the 
second born of the six children of Signet 
Clark of Black River Falls, Wisconsin. The 
father, also a native of New York, came West 
in 1857 and engaged in tiie machine business 
at Black River Falls, which he still continues. 
He was the original patentee of tine paper 
collars, and while in New York was exten 
sively engaged in the manufacture of ma- 
chinery. 

When a youth of fourteen the subject of 
our sketch started out to provide for himself. 
His tirst employment was farm work, for 
which he received $4 per month, and he con- 
tinued working on a farm and in a mill up to 
the time he entered the army. While in the 
mill he ran the engine, being an expert engi- 
neer, as also is his father. In October, 1863, 
he enlisted in Company I, Fourteenth Wis- 
consin, Captain C. R. Johnson, and served 
with bravery till the war closed. Prominent 
among the engagements in which he took 
part we mention the battle of Pleasant Ilill, 
Louisiana, the Red River Expedition, the 
battle of Tupelo, Mississippi; was at Jeffer- 
son City, Nashville, New Orleans, Spanish 
Fort, Montgomery and Mobile. He was 
honorably discharged on October 9, 1865. 
From exposure incurred during the service 



he contracted a severe cold which settled in 
his bronchial tubes, from the effects of which 
he has never recovered. He now receives 
a pension of $30 from the Government. 

After the war he returned to Wisconsin 
and entered into a partnership with his father 
in the planing mill and machine shop at 
Black River Falls, under the tirm name of S. 
Clark & Son. He remained therefrom 1866 
until 1870, when he came to Merillon, con- 
tinuing the same business here until 1886. 
Then for two years he was engaged in rail- 
roading. In 1890 he opened his present 
confectionery business in Merillon, and has a 
large trade in all kinds of candies, fruits, 
cigars and tobacco. Since he lias lived in 
Merillon lie has served the public in a num- 
ber of ways: was elected Village Trustee in 
1889 and at the same time was elected Sec- 
retary of the Board of Health; was a member 
of the Street Committee until last spring; is 
now Justice of the Peace. He is a prominent 
member of the G. A. R., Col. Ellsworth Post. 
His political views are in accord with Repub- 
lican principles, and he was a delegate to the 
County Convention in September last. 

Mr. Clark was married, September 1, 1869. 
to Mary A. Vanderburgh of Black River 
Falls. Four children have been born to 
them, one son and three daughters, all receiv- 
ing the benefit of ^ood educational advan- 
tages. Mr. Clark began married life witli 
limited means, but by hard work and economy 
he has managed to secure a competency. 



fM. WINTERS, a Clark County farmer 
who resides on section 4, Washburii 
' Township, was born at Lima, New York, 
September 18, 1827, son of J. M. and Dia- 
dema Winters. His youth was spent in his 
native State. In 1861, when the civil war 



CLARK A\D JACKSJV COUNT [US. 



341 



broke out, lio joiiieil tlie Union ranks and 
went fortli in tlie (.lefeiise of tlie country, lie 
enlisted in Company A, Eighth Pennsylvania 
Regitnent, and served with bravery all 
throni^h tlie sanguinary struggle, actively 
participating in many important engage- 
ments. 

In 1866 Mr. Winters was married to Sarah 
Ilildcoln, by whom he has had two children: 
Thomas and William. The year following 
his marriage he came west and settled in 
Wisconsin. He located in Clark County, and 
in 1870 bought a farm of eighty acres, thirty 
acres beinw a wilderness. While in New 
York Mr. Winters learned the carpenter's 
trade, but after comino- ta this State he turned 
his attention to farming. He had little with 
which to begin life in a new country, his 
only capital being a yoke of cattle, two cows, 
and 50 cents. Many were the hardships they 
endured, and with characteristic pioneer 
bravery did they meet and overcome the obsta- 
cles as they presented themselves. By industry 
and economy they have secured a comfortable 
home and are now in a position to enjoy life. 
Mr. Winters is a Republican; he served as 
Justice of the Peace nine years, and has also 
held other ottices. 



,LBERT D. MERRILL has been iden- 
tified with Merillon since 1874. He 
was born in Lincoln, Maine, in 1851, 
and came to Wisconsin with his parents when 
he was only a year old. He was educated in 
the district and public schools and also 
attended the State University. At the age 
of eighteen he became a clerk in the store 
owned by his father. In 1873 he was ap- 
pointed Mail Agent by Postmaster-General 
Rock, and served in that capacity on the 
(Ireen Bay & Lake Pepper Railroad for si.\ 



months. He then returned to the mercantile 
business, and was eMiplnyeil at Ilixton as a 
clerk in the general store of Merrill & Ice, 
being thus engaged one year. In 1874, as 
above stated, he came to Merillon. Here he 
clerked in his father's hardware store three 
years. Since then he has given his attention 
to agricultural pursuits. 

Mr. Merrill was married, in 1875, to Ella 
Ice. She was born in Pennsylvania in Ajjril 
10, 1854, the daughter of Pennsylvania par- 
ents. She received her education in the 
public schools, and was engaged in teaching' 
for several years previous to her marriage. 
Three children have been horn to them. All 
are deceased. 

-. M? . ; !! ! . ? !.. ... 



fOSEPH DUXBURY, a retire.I farmer 
living in Alma Centre, Wisconsin, is a 
native of England. He was born in 
Lancashire, January 17, 1834, and was one 
of the three children who came to America 
with their mother in 1855. Of the fourteen 
children born to his parents only five are now 
living. Two preceded Joseph to this coun- 
try. The subject of our sketch received his 
education in England, and after he came to 
America was employed at cotton weaving, at 
which trade he had served an ap]>renticeship 
m his native land. He also worked on a 
farm for a year and a half, receiving $10 iier 
month. He came to Jackson County, Wis- 
consin, in 1856, and bought eighty acres of 
Government land at $125 an acre. It was a 
perfect wilderness at the time of purchase, 
and Mr. Duxbury, although he had but little 
money, had an ai)undance of energy and went 
to work to clear it up. He cleared the prop- 
erty and the following year sold it. 

Before he came West Mr. Duxbury formed 
the aciiuaintance of a young lady who worked 



B12 



BWGRAPUIGAL IlIsroIlF OF 



in the Calico rrint Works in Rhode Island — 
tlie same estalilishment in which he was 
etnpioyed. Iler he cliose fur his lite coin- 
l)anion and thej were married in 1857. All 
their worldly possessions were packed in asmall 
trunk, and with it they set out for the far West 
to make their fortune. They lirst located at 
the villasre of Hixton, or where Hixton now isj 
houjjrht a i'srni and located on it in a log house, 
two miles from where the village now stands. 
This home, although small and containing 
few if any luxuries, was comfortable and 
they were iiappy in it. Mrs. Duxbury was 
also born in England. She came to America, 
in 1855 with her mother, who died a few 
years ago. Eight children have been born to 
them, all of them having receive'd their 
education in the district schools. 

Mr. Duxbury now owns a (quarter section 
of land in Garden Valley Township, all the 
result of his own industry and good manage- 
ment. He removed to Alma Centre to retire 
from the cares of active business. His polit- 
ical views are in accord with Republican 
principles, and he and his wife are members 
of tiie Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. 
Duxbury has served the public as Treasurer 
of Garden Valley Township two years, as 
Constable of Hixton ten years, and for a num- 
ber of years was School Director. 



-►^;" S '|-- 



ffACOB SCHWAMB, of section 12, Wes- 
: ton Township, Clark Coutity, was born 
in Washington County, AYisconsin, Oc- 
tober 16, 1858, the son of Jacob Schwamb, 
who was born in the Province of Rhine, 
Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany, September 2^ 
1817, where he learned the cabinet-maker's 
trade. He came to New York city in 1846, 
and worked at his trade there and at other 
points until 1858, when he came to Washing- 



ton County, Wisconsin. He lived in the vil- 
lage of Cedar Creek until 1877, when he 
came to this county, and settled where our 
subject now lives. He was married in New 
York city, August 3, 1856, to Henrietta 
Voltz, who was born in the Province of 
Ober, Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany, January 
6, 1825, the daughter of Ernest Voltz, de- 
ceased. They had four childi'en: Eliza, Ja- 
cob, John and George. The father died 
December 29, 1888, and both he and his 
wife were members of the German Reformed 
Church. 

The subject of this sketch was educated 
and reared on a farm in Cedar Creek, and 
also Worked several years in the pineries on 
Wedge's Creek. He came with his parents 
to this county in October, 1877, where he 
worked for otliers several years, but now 
farms the old homestead, which consists of 
forty acres, and also eighty acres in Eaton 
Township, thirty-five of which is cleared. 
He has been Assessor one year, and in his 
political views is a Democrat. 



*3^ 



AMUEL R. OWENS, of Merillon, Wis- 
consin, was born in Plymouth, Penn- 
sylvania, December 16, 1833. He re- 
ceived his education in the district schools 
of his native State and also at Wyoming 
Seminary in Pennsylvania. In 1856 he 
came to Wisconsin and began working by 
the montii in a saw-mill, having had experi- 
ence in that business before coming West. 
He was thus engaged up to time he entered 
the army. November 14, 1861, he enlisted 
in Company i. Second Wisconsin Cavalry, 
under command of Captain Latsken. They 
began active operations in Springfield, Mis- 
souri; took a train of provisions to Custer's 
army; had a long march of four days and 



CLARK AND JAVKsoX C()UNTIEs. 



343 



nights to Arkansas; was at Mempliis and 
Vicksburg. Durinj^ a service uf four years 
he was only sick three weeks. He was in a 
rail! that lasted six weeks, GOO prisoners be- 
ing captured by tlieir cavalry. November 
15, 1865, Mr. Owens was honorably dis- 
charged, after which he returned to Jackson 
County, Wisconsin. lie now receives apen- 
si(Hi of $16 per month. 

The subject of our sketch was married, 
in 1S67, to Mary Ilidgo, of Black Iliver 
Falls, Wisconsin. Her parents ai-e natives 
of Ohio, and iier fatiier is enj^aged in a store 
and saw-mill in Clark County. Mr. and Mrs. 
Owens have six children, all being well edu- 
cated. Mr. Owens says that when he came 
to Merillon it was nothing but a pine woods. 
At that time he had only $40, and by the 
time he was married he had saved up $500. 
All that he now owns is the result of his own 
industry and economy. He is a Republican 
and a member of the G. A. R.,havitig served 
as commander four years. For fifteen years 
he has been deputy lumber inspector at 
Merillon. 



fnOMAS FREE, of section 12, Weston 
Township, was born in the Province of 
'w Queltec, Canada East, March 4, 1846, 
the son of Richard (deceased) and Mary 
(Ross) Free, the former a native of County 
Wicklow, Ireland, and tlie latter of England, 
but both came to this country when (j^uite 
young. They were the parents of three chil- 
dren: Robert, who lost his life in the Union 
army during tlie late war; Annie, wife of 
Jolin Wright, of Humboldt, Dakota, and 
Thomas, our subject. 

Thomas Free was reared to farm life, and 
his educational advantages were limited, as 
there was no school where he lived. He 



went to the State of Maine in 1805, where 
he worked on a farm part of two summers, 
then in the ship-yards of Bangor a short 
time, next in the pineries two years. In 
1867 lie came to this county, and in 1871 
homesteaded 120 acres of land, which lie still 
owns, and sixty acres of which is cleared. 

Mr. Free was married December 10, 1878, 
to Eliza Schwamb, who was born in New York 
city. June 7, 1857, the daughter of Jacob 
Schwamb, who came to the United States 
when a young man. Mr. and Mrs. Free have 
five children: Clara E., Nettie E., Archibald, 
Ernest and Lydia M.. Mr. Free lias been 
clerk of the School Board eight years, and is 
tlie present incumbent. He is a member of 
the 1. O. O. F., and politically a Republican. 



fAMES H. SARGENT, late proprietor of 
Sargent's Hall, Thorp, was horn in the 
town of Maria, New York. July 8, 1836, 
the son of James Sargent, formerly of Par- 
ker's Prairie, Minnesota, where he died in 
1888, at the age of eighty-six years. They 
removed to Hamilton County, New York, 
when our subject was an infant, and a few 
years later to the Adirondac Mountains, 
where the father was foreman of the building 
of the machinery for the Adirondac Iron 
Works. Three years later they emigrated to 
Democrat Prairie, Wisconsin, where he built 
the first frame house in the city of Berlin, 
then called Strong's Landing. He lived at 
this place a few years, and then located on 
Indian lands, in the same county, near Prince- 
ton. The Indians were numerous, and often 
came and looked through the cracks of their 
shanty while the lamily were eating dinner. 
They would beg or steal more or less, but 
were never hostile. After eight years' resi- 
dence there, thoy removed to Peddler's Grove, 



344 



nWGHArUlCAL U J til OH ¥ OP 



settling on the prairie land, where they set 
up stakes, tj-ing tlietn together with bark, 
which thoy also used for a covering. 

Jatnes H , our subject, served in the late 
war, in Company II, Sixteenth Wisconsin 
Volunteer Infantry, serving from December 
31, 18(53, to July 12, 1865. He was in the 
battles of Vicksburg, Mempiiis, Kenesaw 
Mountain, Marietta, Atlanta, Cliattahoochee, 
Peach Tree Creek, Jonesboro, Columbia, Ra- 
leigh, Lovejoy Station, Savannah, and also 
with Sherman to the sea. lie held the otHce 
of Sergeant, and had chai-ge of the battalion 
at Savannah, Georgia. He was tendered a 
captain's commission, but refused. He was 
at the grand review at Washington, and 
after the war returned to Eau Claire, Wis- 
consin, and later to Augusta, where kept he 
hotel three years. He then went to South 
Fork, and ran a hotel at Hank's stopping 
place nine or ten years', next returned to 
Augusta, after which he left iiis farm and 
went to camp in the Elk Mountains, Colo- 
rado, where he mined two yaers, and still has 
an interest in seven mines there. He then 
came to Thorp in 1881, where he built the 
Forest Queen Hotel, which he ran a few 
years and then sold out. In 1883 he built a 
large hall known as the Opera House, with 
the Forest Queen saloon on the first floor. 

Mr. Sargent's mother, nee Elizabeth F. 
McCauley, was born in Goifstown, New 
Hampshire, July 13, 1810. Mr. and Mrs. 
Sargent had twelve children, live of whom 
are still living, viz.: Theodore L., James 
H., Frederick, Edward and Sarah. Fred- 
erick was also in the late war, in Com- 
pany I, Thirtieth Wisconsin Volunteer In- 
fantry; Thomas N. was in the same company; 
Oscar, in tiie Sixth Wisconsin Volunteer In- 
fantry, and Charles M., in Company C, 
Eichth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Os- 
car died at Arlington Heights, Virginia, in 



1863; Charles died at Germantown, Missis- 
sippi, while in the service of his country; 
Thomas in Minnesota after the war; Will- 
iam F., in Scott's Valley, Eau Claire County, 
Wisconsin, leaving a family; and Harriet at 
the age of fourteen years. Lenora Sargent 
was drowned at Fayston, Vermont, at the age 
of four years, by falling off a bridge, in 1836. 
Mr. Sargent was married April 3, 1856, 
to Julia A. Newton, daughter of Samuel 
Newton. They have three children: llirain 
F., Lenora E. and Emma A. Hiram was mar- 
ried to Nellie Dunn, and they have two chil- 
dren: Guy and Arthur (a Christmas gift); 
Lenora married Charles S. Little, of White 
liear Lake, Minnesota, and they have one 
child also, Clara E. Mr. Sargent is a Mason, 
a member of the I. O. O. F., of the G. A. R. 
and Merchants' Association. He was a mem- 
bers of the Town Board seven years in Eau 
Claire County, but has always refused office 
here. His son, Hiram, is his partner in busi- 
ness, and witii W. H. Mead he owns forty 
acres of mineral land in Clark County, which 
contains vast quantities of rich hematite iron 
ore, which assays sixty-three per cent. They 
have also some mining land in Taylor County, 
Wisconsin, which contains silver, lead, gold 
and traces of gray copper, and they are now 
sinking a shaft to develop it. 



-^ "^ • 3 *« t ' |" *" — ~ 

HARLES W. HYSLIP, of section 23, 
Weston Township, was born near Tata- 
nagoush, Colchester County, Nova Sco- 
tia, July 6, 1834, the son of Richard 
(deceased) and Betsey (Crow) Hyslip; the 
former was a native of Scotland, but caine to 
America when a I>oy; the latter was a native 
of Nova Scotia. Our suljject was reared on 
a farm and educated in the public schools of 
his native place. He left home at the age of 



VLAJiK AJSD JAUKSUN COUNTIES. 



345 



eighteen years, traveling from Londonderry 
to JJ<)8ton on a sail vessel, and afterward was 
engaged as cook on a codfisliing vessel. He 
then remained at home until in February, 
1854, when he shipped from Halifax to Bos- 
ton, and for two years worked twenty miles 
from the latter place. He emigrated to this 
county in June, 185G, settling in AVeston 
Township, where he has since resided, en- 
gaged in lumbering and farming. He settled 
on his present farm in 1808. He has been 
chairman of the Town Uoard four terms, and 
School Treasurer twenty years. Politically 
he affiliates with the Rei)ublican party. 

Mr. Hyslip was married in tlie village of 
Bolton, April 5, ISoG, to Nancy, daugliter of 
Jefferson (deceased) and Barbara (Horn) Con- 
den; Mrs. Hyslip was born in Nova Scotia. 
Of their live children only one is now living, 
— Margaret E., now the wife of Lyman 
Tracy, of this town. They have had eight 
children, viz.: Ella, Edith, Ethel, Homer, 
Edna and an infant girl. One of Mr. Hyslip's 
children, Benjamin F., was killed in a saw- 
mill in Eaton Township, this county, in 
April, 18(!5, at the age of twenty-seven 
years. He married Ada Tuttle, and had two 
children: Bessie (deceased), and William B. 
Two children died of diphtheria: one, Charles 
E., was eight years old, and William A. six 
months. Barbara Ann died of measles, at 
the age of one year and seven months. 

^,f. t ,, l . % ^ 



IHEODORE A. ANDERSON, ajroneral 
merchant of Greenwood, was born near 
Taylor's Station, Jackson County, Wis 
cousin, November 20, 1802, the son of Knud 
Anderson, a native of Norway, but now of 
Hemlock, this county. He came with his 
parents to the United States when lifteen 
years of age, and settled at Uaciiie, Wis- 



consin. He was a pioneer of Jackson 
County, having settled among Indians and 
wild animals. He removed to this county 
in 1870, settling in Beaver Township, in the 
thick woods. 

Theodore, our subject, worked in the woods 
and saw-mills several years, and also in driv- 
ing logs in Black River. He came to Creen- 
wood in 1881, where he clerked in a store 
seven years. In 1888 he engaged in business 
for himself at Hemlock, but in May, 181)0, 
removed his stock of goods to Greenwood, 
where he carries a full line of groceries, dry 
goods, boots, siloes, hats, caps, etc. He has 
a capital stock of $2,000, his annual sales 
amounting to $0,000, which is rapidly in- 
creasing. 

Mr. Anderson was married July 1, 
1880, to Mary Francis, daughter of John 
Francis, of this township. They have one 
child, George M., born Marcli 25, 1887. Mr. 
Anderson was School Treasurer of Warner 
Township one year, is a Republican politi- 
cally, and an enterprising, public-spirited and 
liberal citizen, and deserves a good patronage 
from the pulilic. 



^t^^--^ 

AVJD JUSTICE, a prominent merchant 
of Greenwood, was born in Monroe 
County, New York, March 29, 1840, 
the son of John Justice, who lost his life in 
theUnionservice in the late war, havingl)eena 
memberof Company D, Twenty-fifth Wiscon- 
sin Volunteer Infantry. The family ^came to 
Sparta, Monroe County, Wisconsin, in 1859, 
where the father ran a tailor shop and cloth- 
ing store. Our subject w(irk(^d at various 
things when young, and afterward came to 
Merrill, Lincoln County, where he engaged in 
contractintr and buildinrr in the summer, and 
in scalinu; logs in the winter. In 1885 he 



346 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF 



came to Greenwood, and built a saw-mill lor 
his brother-in-law, E. E. Crocker, but after- 
ward worked at his present business for Mr. 
Crocker two years, when lie bcuglit him out. 
Mr. Justice was married April 20, 1873, to 
Frances, daughter of Levi Crocker, of Mon- 
roe County, this State, and they have three 
children: Fred, born Feliruary 5, 1875; Ella, 
July 13, 1888; and Howard, December 28, 
1888. Mr. Justice is a member of the 
I. O. O. F., subordinate encampment, and also 
the Modern Woodmen. He is an enterj^ris- 
ing and public-spirited citizen. 



-i^^ 



fOHN BOAVERMAN, of section 2, Eaton 
Township, Clark County, was born in 
Prince Edward County, Ontario, near 
Pictou, at the head of the Bay of Quinte, 
May 12, 1823, the son of Cornelius (deceased) 
and Martha (Morgan) Bowerman, both natives 
of Canada. Our subject's grandfather, Jona- 
than Bowerman, was a Quaker from Vermont. 
Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Bowerman had fif- 
teen children, twelve of whom grew to matu- 
rity, and eleven still survive, namely: Hannah, 
John, Ichabod, Daniel, Thomas, Leonard, 
Sarah E., Melissa J., Bennett, Joseph and 
Phoebe. One daughter, Deborah, died in 
1861, leaving a husband and seven children. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to 
farm life, and received a limited education in 
a Quaker seminary. He came from Canada 
to Jackson County, in 1855, where he worked 
in a saw-mill and at various other employ- 
ments for one year. He then came to this 
county and settled seven and a half miles east 
of Neillsville, in what is now Grant Town- 
ship, which was then covered with heavy 
timber. His nearest neighbors were one and 
a half miles distant, and the Indians and 
wild animals were numerous. A bear would 



often pick up a hog in his arms, cut his 
throat with his teeth, and then carry him off. 
Mr. Bowerman has killed many deer, and also 
cauglit many wild-cats, minks and foxes in 
steel traps. During the year 1889-90 he 
caught twelve foxes, and also several coons. 
He came to his present farm in the fall of 
1866, where he at once went to work in the 
thick forest, and now owns forty acres of 
cleared land, and a life-interest in forty acres 
more. He has a fine house, a large barn, and 
all the other necessary buildings. 

Mr. Bowerman was married in August, 
1847, to Hannah Honeywell, a native of Ot- 
tawa, Canada, and daughter of L-a Honeywell, 
deceased. 

They have had eight children, four of whom 
are still living, viz.: Eufus L, Sarah E., Me- 
lissa J. and Martha M. Sarah married Moody 
Chandler, of this city, and has five children, 
— Eva, Irvin, Nettie, Ira and John. Melissa 
married David Warner, of Warner Township, 
this county, and has two children, — Mark and 
Clen. Martha married Edward Parker, of 
this city, and has four children, — Leland, 
Myrtle, Clinton and Irvin. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
Bowerman are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 



|AXWELL HEASLETT, of section 
f /Mjflt 26, Eaton Township, Clark County, 
^^^^ was born thirty miles southeast of 
Quebec, Canada, April 16, 1844, the son of 
William and Mary (Maxwell) Ileaslett, both 
natives of County Armagh, Ireland, the for- 
mer born in the year 1814, and the latter in 
1815. They now live with their son, the 
subject of this sketch. Of their ten children, 
six are still living: William, Sarah, Andrew, 
Maxwell, Margaret and Robert. A daughter, 
Jane, was married and removed to Upper 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



347 



Canada, hut has not been heard from for 
twenty years. 

Maxwell Ileaslett was reared on a farm, 
and received but a limited education, lie 
came to the United States in the fall of 1868, 
stoi>ping first in Neillsville, wliere he worked 
in the pineries and in Hewitt's mill for two 
years. Since that time he has worked in the 
pineries during the winters, and drove logs 
and farmed in the spring and summers. lie 
settled on his present farm of eighty acres in 
the spring of 1878, and has since cleared 
thirty-nine acres. 

Mr. Ileaslett was married May 15, 1878, 
to Kmina E. Hewett, who was born in Essex 
County, New York, September 3, 1858, the 
daughter of George (deceased) and Maria 
(Magoon) Ilewett. The mother was born in 
Lower Canada, May 30, 1831, and now lives 
with her children; the father was born in 
Essex County, New York, August 31, 1808, 
and came to this county in 1873. Mr. and 
Mrs. Ileaslett have two children: Etiiel C, 
born March 22, 1879, and Harry, September 
17, 1880. Both Mr. Ileaslett and wife were 
members of the Methodist Churcli, and the 
former is a Republican politically. 



w 




HLLIAM C. FRICKE, of section 26, 
Eaton Township, Clark County, was 
born in Hanover, Germany, in the 
town of Diepliolz, February 17, 1820, the 
son of Christopher (deceased) and Christiana 
(Nolte) P'ricke, both natives of Diepliolz. 
Thev were the parents of five children: Will- 
iam, Henry, Frederick (the two latter reside 
in Buffalo, Scott County, Iowa), and Eliza- 
beth, deceased. One son also died in child- 
hood. 

William C, our subject, was a soldier in 
the (Tcrman I'evohition in 1848-'41), having 



fought against the king. He was in favor of 
a republic, and when he saw they had failed, 
he, with others, took passage on a ship for the 
United States. Stii])ping first in Milwaukee, 
in the fall of 18-40, Mr. Fricke worked at the 
shoemaker's trade until the summer of 1850, 
when he removed to Newburg, Washington 
County, Wisconsin, where he worked at his 
trade until 1855. In that year he went to 
Waco, Texas, remaining until 1857, and then 
returned to Newiiurg, where he worked at his 
trade until 1876. He then came to this 
county, and settled on his present farm of 
eighty acres, sixty of wliich is cleared. 

Mr. Fricke was married August 9, 1852, to 
Eva Fretsche, daughter of Gotfried (deceased) 
and Justine (Dobig) Fretsche, both natives 
of Saxony, Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Fricke 
have ha<l twelve children, eicfht of whom still 
survive: Ida, Minnie, Oscar, Emma, William, 
Matilda, Louise and Bertha. ()ne son, Rob- 
ert, died in Milwaukee May 1, 1880, at the 
age of twenty-four years. He was one of the 
best telegraph operators in that city. Another 
son. Otto, died April 15, 1880, at the age of 
twenty years. Mr. Fricke was brought up 
in the Lutheran Church, but is not now iden- 
tified with any church. He has been a mem- 
ber of the Town Board twice, and also of the 
School Board several years. Politically lie is 
a Democrat. 



■■-(r^"^^ 



jILLIAM MORRISON, superintend- 
ent of the Neillsville Manufacturincf 
1*=^^ Company, Neillsville, Wisconsin, 
came to this city in 1889, to superintend the 
building and running of this furniture fac- 
tory. The size of the building is 136x128 
feet, four stories high, with an L sixty-four 
feet wide. They employ 400 men. The first 
order for goods was from England for a large 



348 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF 



amount, and at present they are fillinjr this 
order. The mill commenced operation this 
spring; they have a 250-horse-power steam 
engine, and a 70-horse-po\ver engine for the 
saw-mill, which they run in connection with 
the factory. The latter is said to be the best 
in the world. Mr. Morrison made the plans 
for the building, and troin its commencement 
iiad the ground prepared, laid the foundation, 
and had it perfected after his own plans. He 
laid live heavy stone walls under the build- 
inor, and the floors on each of the four rooms 
are made of 2x4 timber, set up edgeways, 
making the floor five inches thick. Each of 
the floors are separate, and in no way con- 
nected with each other from the inside of the 
building. The only way to reach the upper 
rooms is by means of a stairway outside of 
the building, leading to each room. They 
have an elevator built in the corner 
where the building forms an L, and which 
is so constructed that a wagon can re- 
ceive or deliver goods from the elevator. 
The building is absolutely fire-proof, and 
contains the best machinery that can be pur- 
chased in the world. The rooms are heated 
with hot air dri'-en through a large pipe into 
the building, and also have large fans con- 
nected to a furnace in an adjoining brick 
building. Their 250-horse power engine 
drives this large amount of machinery with 
an endless rope three-fourths of an inch in 
size. The engine-house is firmly constructed 
of brick, and stands some distance from the 
factory. The rope runs over the large drive 
wheel in the engine-house to the main shaft 
of the factory outside of the building. There 
is also a drying house in the rear of the en- 
gine-house, containing three large rooms, and 
in connection with each is a railroad track 
running to the lumber yard. After drying 
the lumber is taken to the factory, where all 
is made in the best manner, and the facilities 



for handling the same cannot be surpassed. 
They have a large galvanized pipe, thirty 
inches in diameter, running from the factory 
to the engine-house, and all dust and shavings 
are drawn through this to the latter house 
and used for fuel. Mr. Morrison has placed 
some machinery of his own device in this 
factory, which is very necessary and impor- 
tant. There is not probably a better me- 
chanic in the United States than Mr. 
Morrison, and the people of this city should 
be proud of this institution. 

He is a Scotch gentleman, born January 
3, 1850, and was educated in his native land, 
where he also learned the furniture trade. 
Since the age of twenty-one he has always 
had charge of some work; has been an exten- 
sive traveler in India, China, Japan, and 
nearly all over the world. He married Miss 
Kate Mclntyre, of Glasgow, Scotland, and 
they have a family of nine children: James, 
Jane, William, Alfred, David, Nellie, Kate, 
John and Asa. Mr. Morrison is a worthy 
gentleman, and is respected by all who know 
him. 



ILLIAM ZASSENHAUS, Eegister 
|| of Deeds for Clark County, Wiscon- 
sin, was born in Germany, Decem- 
ber 28, 1838, the son of Frederick and Louise 
(Lnecke) Zassenhaus, natives of Germany. 
The father was an extensive merchant at 
Mettmann, Germany, and continued the same 
until his death in 1866; the mother died in 
1863. They were members of the Evangeli- 
cal Church, and had a family of five children, 
three sons and two daughters, four of whom 
are still living, viz.: Wilhelmine, Eigen, Wil- 
liam, Carl and Helena. All the children 
were natives of Germany except our sul)ject. 
He attended school until nineteen years of 




OLAItK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



34 !t 



age, and graduated in chemistry and mining. 
He then served as a soldier two years and six 
months, after which he went to Australia, 
where he remained five years in the gold fields, 
which proved very satisfactory financially. 
In 1865 he returned to Germany on a visit, 
and after three months came to America, 
landing in New York city. He then set out 
for the western world, stopping first at New 
Vienna, Dubuque County, Iowa, where he 
was engaged in farming for a short time. In 
1806 lie went to Superior City, Wisconsin, 
and engaged in exploring for minerals one 
year; next he went to the copper mines of 
Michigan, and engaged in mining ten years, 
with the exception of one year spent in the 
silver mines of Nevada. In 1877 Mr. Zas- 
senhaus came to Clark County, Wisconsin, 
and settled iu the Township of Green Grove, 
where he started the first store and postofBce 
in the township, there being only four set- 
tlers there at that time. The land was 
covered with timber, consisting of pine, hard- 
wood, and the only railroad was at Colby, 
distant six miles. He conducted the store 
and postotiice until 1889, when he was elected 
to his present position, after which he sold 
his goods and rented his building. He was 
the first Chairman of Green Grove, which 
position he held two years, and has also as- 
sisted in the building of churches and the 
schoul-house. Since moving to the city of 
Neillsville, he has purchased stock in the 
large furniture plant of this city. 

Mr. Zassenhaus was married in 1866, to 
Miss Maria Orth, a native of Germany, and 
the daughter of John and Wilhelmine (Lach- 
mann) Orth. They have a family of eight 
children, namely: Louisa R., a clerk for her 
father in the register othce; Joseph W., Ag- 
nes M.. Helena, William, Mary, Clara, and 
Frederick W. Mr. Zassenhaus is a Republi- 
can politically, and a member of the Knights 



of Pythias. He is one of the prominent men 
of Clark County, and takes an active interest 
in the growth and development of the county 
and State. 



TIMOTHY FISK LEE. a farmer of 
section 31, Fremont Township, Clark 
County, was born at Parishviile, St. 
Lawrence County, New York, June 23, 1854, 
the fifth son of Aaron Lee, who died in 1885, 
at the age of seventy-six years. His grand- 
father was of the early families of Essex 
County, New York, but the Lee family were 
originally from the green hills of Vermont. 
Aaron Lea was a farmer, and his children 
were Andrew J., Josephus, Rutli, Chloe A., 
Loren W., Noble L., Ellen A., Timothy Fisk 
and Oren D. All are living except Andrew 
J. and Josephus. Early during the last war 
Andrew J. enlisted in a company from St. 
Lawrence County, New York, and had served 
nearly his term of enlistment without injury 
when he received a wound which proved fatal 
a few days later. Of the remaining mem- 
bers of the family six came West, the young- 
est, Oren D., remaining with the parents 
upon the old farm, where he still resides with 
his aged mother. Her family name was 
Sampson, and it was a representative family 
in the early annals of Vermont. Six years 
after his marriage, ur in 1881, the subject of 
this sketch came to Clark County and settled 
upon his present farm of 120 acres. His dil- 
igence is shown in the amount under cultiva- 
tion, the comfortable house, and the fine barn 
— one of the best in this part of the county. 
All this, notwithstanding the weakness of his 
eyes, from which he has suffered all his life. 
He is very fond of live-stock, especially 
horses. His ultimate design is to give at- 
tention to stock-raising and the training of 
horses. 



350 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTOR 7 OF 



Mrs. Lee, whose maiden name was May 
Wright, was a daughter of Henry and Julia 
Wright, formerly residents of Essex County, 
New York. She has two brothers, but no 
sister. In tiie family of Mr. and Mrs. Lee 
are six children, born and named as follows: 
Aaron F., born September 16, 1874; Ernest 
W., horn September 24, 1876; Gilbert E., 
born April 16, 1881, and since deceased; 
Vinton D., born January 14, 1884; Lindon 
D., born July 20, 1886; and Prudence Ruth, 
born June 26, 1889. 

>^> <| . SM ^.£f.^ 

tHARLES C. PETERSON, owner 
and manager of the Merchants' Hotel, 
Black River Falls, was born near Copen- 
hagen, Denmark, in 1844. He remained in 
his nati. 6 land until he was sixteen years of 
age; he then started out in the world on his 
own responsibility, and emigrated to America, 
being the lirst member of his family to cross 
the sea. He landed in the city of New York, 
and continued his journey to Chicago; thence 
he went to Grand Haven, Michigan, and for 
some time was employed in the construction 
of a railroad along the Grand River. One 
year later he went to Muskegon, and there 
engaged as cook for a mining camp in that 
vicinity; this position not proving all that 
could be desired, he abandoned it and went 
to Pentwater; there he was married, and 
took the contract to keep a boarding-house 
for Charles Mears, a lumberman; he con- 
ducted this business successfully for a time, 
and then went to Manistee County, Michi- 
gan, where he opened a boarding house and 
hotel; he afterwards located in the town of 
Manistee, and for five years kept a hotel in 
that place. 

We next find Mr. Peterson located in Wis- 
consin, again employed in the building of a 



railroad, on the Green Bay and Winona 
branch. Later on he returned to his old oc- 
cupation, keeping hotel, and then for a time 
he was interested in the raising of live-stock, 
and also did a considerable amount of trading 
with the Indians in furs and berries. Ten 
years afterwards he came to Black River 
Falls, and invested in farm lands, and did 
some lumbering. In November, 1890, he 
purchased his present hotel, and his long 
experience in this business enables him to 
anticipate the wants of the traveling public; 
ho and his wife do all in their power to render 
their guests comfortable, and being of genial, 
kindly dispositions they meet with unquali- 
lied success. 

Mr. Peterson has been very prosperous in 
all his business dealings, and has accumu- 
lated a considerable amount of property. 
When one considers his youth in starting out 
in the world, and that he was a stranger in a 
strange land, too much praise cannot be be- 
stowed upon him. He and his wife have 
eight children, six daughters and two sons. 



ATTERLEE & TIFT are the proprie- 
tors and publishers of the Republican 
and Press, the oldest journal in the 
county, having been established in the year 
1855. Neillsville at that time consisted of 
a small cluster of houses and gave but little 
promise of becoming the prosperous and 
thriving little city it now is. The present 
publishers of the paper are energetic, public- 
spirited gentlemen, and under their manage- 
ment the Republican and Press has become 
one of the leading publications of Northern 
Wisconsin. Their printing house is well 
equipped for doing a general business, and 
work entrusted to them is executed in the 
highest style of the art. In 1890 they pub- 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



351 



lislied in large pamphlet form a historical and 
descriptive work of Clark Conntj; it contains 
eiglity pages and fnrnislies much valuable in- 
formation in regard to the climate, soil, and 
natural resources of tlie county. 

Milton Satterlee was born near Freeport, 
Illinois, and lias been engaged in the news- 
paper business for many years. 

James H. Tiit is a native of Wisconsin, 
born in Dane County. He learned the trade 
of a printer in Black Earth, Dane County, 
becoming foreman of the Democrat of Mad- 
ison, and came from that place to Neillsville. 



mI^KICH ODEKBALZ has been identi- 
pjjl tied with the business interests of Black 
•5¥^ River Falls since the year 1856, when 
his residence there began. He is a brewer 
by trade, and has been engaged in this busi- 
ness for many years, being one of the oldest 
brewers in the State. He is a native of 
Switzerland, born April 19, 1819. In 1852 
he left his home and friends and native land 
and sailed to the shores of America, too full 
of hiipeful anticipations to be discouraged by 
all tlie obstacles which he must encounter in 
a strange land. He went immediately to 
Canton, Ohio, where he worked in a brewery 
for six months; the then spent about the same 
length of time traveling down the Ohio and 
Mississippi rivers; he visited New Orleans 
and went thence to Texas, but did not locate 
there; on his retnrn to the North he settled 
in Galena, Illinois, where he resided until 
1854; the two years following he was a'resi- 
dent of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and then in 
1856, as before stated, he settled in Black 
River Falls. During the time that he was 
in La Crosse he was employed in the cooper's 
trade, wliich he had also mastered in his 



native land, it being a cust<im there to learn 
two trades at the same time. 

On coming to Black River Falls, Mr. Oder- 
balz erected the brewery wliich he has since 
occupied, a period of thirty -five years; his 
dwelling was then a small, unpretentious 
building, but in 1869 he had built a tine 
brick structure wliicli is a credit to the town. 

September 14, 1857, our subject was united 
in the holy bonds of wedlock to Miss Anna 
Helfling, a native of Switzerland; she was 
seventeen years of age when she emigrated 
with her parents to America. Mr. and Mrs. 
Oderbalz have had boi'n to them eicdit chil- 
dren: Mary L., the eldest, is a graduate of 
the high school of Black River Falls, and is 
employed by her father as book-keeper; Anna 
M. is also a well educated young woman, and 
is a teacher in the public school; the eldest 
son, George W., is the third child, and then 
comes Julia; Frank F. is also at home and is 
employed in his father's business; Charles 
died at the age of eighteen years; the two 
younger children are Emma and Edward. 

Mr. Oderbalz has been a very successful 
business man, and he has given his children 
a good education, and is fitting them to be 
useful members of society. 



fAMES;D. PERRY, the present Judge of 
[[Jackson' County, was elected to that posi- 
tion in the spring of 1889, succeeding his 
brother. Judge George M. Perry. lie was 
born in the town of Albion, Jackson County, 
Wisconsin, December 11, 1852. His father, 
a pioneer of the county, is now a resident' of 
Manchester: the mother died in 1855, and 
from that time until he was twenty-one years 
of age he resided with a maternal uncle in 
Henderson County, Illinois. He attended 
the public schools until about fifteen years of 



353 



BIOGRAPHICAL HIHTOIiY OF 



age, ami tlieii became a student of Denmark 
Academy in Lee County, Iowa; later on he 
was for one term a student at the Illinois 
Industrial University, after which he engaged 
in teacliinor; he followed this profession 
through seven terms of school, and then re- 
turned to Black River Falls; there he was 
employed hy amaternal uncle, John Edmunds, 
as manager of a saw-mill; at the end of two 
years the uncle died, and he operated the mill 
four years longer; at this time he went to 
Melrose and took charge of a mill belonging 
to Mark Douglas; he remained there until 
his election to the office he now holds; he 
thoroughly understands the business of mill- 
ing, and is well posted in all the details of 
the industry. 

While not a lawyer by profession Judge 
Perry is a man very capable, and has made a 
special study of the branches of law pertain- 
ing to his office; he has shown himself an 
efficient officer, and has given entire satisfac- 
tion to the public. In his political opinions 
he sympathizes with the Kepublican party. 

Judge Perry was united in marriage to 
Miss Mary Quackenbush, a daughter of John 
Quackenbush; her father died in the town of 
Manchester in March, 1882, and the mother 
is still residing there. Mrs. Perry was born 
in Black River Falls in 1857. She and the 
Judge have had born to them five children: 
Charles S., Howard E., Archie L., Austin J., 
and Ella F. 



'Sn ; . | i>^ 



T. FRENCH, late of Clark County, 
Wisconsin, was one of the prominent 
' and influential men of his time. He 
was born in Pennsylvania, August 10, 1831, 
and came to Wisconsin at an early day, where, 
up to the time of his death, he was identifled 
with the leiding citizens. He was the first 



Treasurer of Clark County and held the office 
two years. He read law in this county with 
one of tiie leading attorneys, and was ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1849. He was subse- 
quently elected District Attorney, which 
office he held for a number of years. He 
was a member of the City Council of Neills- 
ville for eight years. Mr. French obtained 
his early education in Pennsylvania. He 
was a graduate of a medical college, but as 
that profession was not congenial to his tastes 
he abandoned it for the law. His death oc- 
curred February 11, 1887. He left to his 
family a large tract of land in section 23, 
Pine Valley Township. This property is the 
result of his industry and his judicious 
management. His widow, Elizabeth R. 
PVench, lives on the farm with her son, 
Edwin. She is also a native of Pennsylvania, 
born September 4, 1835. She received a 
thorough education, as also have lier children. 
By all who know her she is regarded as a 
most estimable woman. Her other children 
are Nettie, Elsey, Viola and Dimple, all l)e- 
ing married except Edwin. 



fRANK EARNING, son of John and 
Ann Earning, was born in Clark County, 
Wisconsin, in 1862. His father, a na- 
tive of Ireland, came to Wisconsin some 
thirty-five years ago and took up a home- 
stead claim in Clark County. He continued 
to make his home on it until the time of his 
death, which occurred in 1864. He enlisted 
in Company I, Second Wisconsin Cavalry, 
but was only in the service a short time. 
Receiving injuries, he was taken to a Ten- 
nessee hospital, where he died. Three of his 
four children are still living. 

The land which Mr. Earning left to his 
family consists of 160 acres, and is located on 



CLARK AND JAVKSON COUNTIES. 



353 



section 6, Grant Township, fonr miles from 
Neilisvillc. On tliis place Frank resides 
with his mother, iind is eniraired in atrriciilt- 
nral pursuits. lie is a Democrat and takes 
an active interest in political matters. For 
sevei'al years lie has acted as Deputy Sheriff 
of the county. The mother is now si.xty- 
three years old. She came to this State with 
hor Inisljand and shared with him the many 
hardsiiips and privations incident to pioneer 
life. She is much respected, and has a large 
circle of friends in tiie community where she 
I'csidet. 



fOHN I. BROWN, a well-known citizen 
and one of the oldest settlers of Clark 
County, Wisconsin, was born in Germany, 
March 1, 1802. He landed in America on 
May 12, 1846, and took up his abode near 
Milwaukee. There he found employment, at 
which he made three shillings per day. For 
seven years he worked near Milwaukee and 
during that time cleared a large amount of 
land, his only capital being an ax and grub- 
bing hoe combined with his strong and willing 
muscle. His first investment here was in a 
pair of steers, which he purchased from one 
of his countrymen. The sum to be paid for 
them was $16.50, but as he did not have the 
money his German friend gave him time and 
did not even take a note. When the time 
agreed upon for payment arrived Mr. 15rown 
met the man in Milwaukee and told him he 
was ready to pay off the $16.50, to which his 
friend replied that he must buy a quart of 
beer first. This, of course, he readily did. 
Thus confidence was established in him by 
his neighbors in the community where he 
lived, and it was never lost. 

Mr. Brown came to Clark County in 1850 

and bought eiirhty acres of land, which by 
a* 



hard work he cleared up. His wife has 
shared with him the many hardships incident 
to pioneer life. Like many other faithful 
German wives, she helped him in out-door 
work and she also spun and wove all the 
clothes that her family wore. When Mr. 
Brown arrived in this country he was accom- 
panied by his wife and one child. Other 
children have? been l)orn to them, and tlieir 
family now consists of live sons and one 
daughter, namely: Jacob, Jr., Henry, Flem- 
ming, Joseph, Peter and Kate. Mr. Brown 
added to his first purchase until he now has 
enough land to give each of his children forty 
acres. His property is located in Grant 
Townshij), sections 16 and 17. 



HOMAS B. MILLS, of Millston, Wis- 
)if cousin, was born in the town of Man- 
chester, Jackson County, this State, 
October 12, 1857; attended district school 
until si.xteen years of age, then learned teleg- 
raphy and was in the railway service until 
he reached his majority. He then took the 
scientific course at Colonel McMynn's Acad- 
emy in Racine, Wisconsin, graduating in 
June, 1881. He has been chosen to many 
offices of trust and responsibility, having 
been chairman of the Town Board of Super- 
visors since 1882, chairman of the County 
Board of Supervisors for four years, repre- 
sented Jackson County in the Wisconsin As- 
sembly si.x years (1885 to 1890 inclusive), 
and having bee;i for four years Speaker of tlu> 
Assembly: was the youngest man that ever 
filled this responsible position. 

Mr. Mills is engaged in lumbering at 
Millston, and banking and milling at Black 
River Falls, Wisconsin, being the president 
of the Jackson County Bank and a director 
of the Jackson County Milling Company. 



354 



BIOORAPEICAL HISTORY OF 



He is also extensively engaged in the real- 
estate and loan business at West Superior, 
Wisconsin, tlie firm being T. B. & J. H. 
Mills. 

Mr. Mills is a member of the I. O. O. F., 
of the K. P., and the B. P. O. E., No. 46, 
Milwaukee; is a S. P. R. S., Wisconsin Con- 
sistory; lUustrious Noble of Tripoli Temple, 
Milwaukee. He is also a member of the Su- 
perior Club, the Superior Boat Club, and the 
Superior Chamber of Commerce. 

He is a typical western hustler, who at 
tliirty-three stands in the front rank of tlie 
energetic, pushing men wiio have made a 
great empire of the Northwest and dotted it 
with imperial cities. 

— g- S i' S ' l *-^ 



fOHN STEIN FELDT, residing on section 
34, York Township, is one of the many 
German citizens who have largely as- 
sisted in the development of the resources of 
this country. He was born in Mecklenburg, 
Germany, Marcli 24, 1844, and is a son of 
John and Minnie (Schultz) Steinfeldt, natives 
of the same province. The parents emi- 
grated to America in 1853, and settled in 
Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, where they 
died at an advanced age. They had five chil- 
dren born to them, only two of whom lived 
to maturity: Mary, the wife of William 
Freudle, aiid John the subject of this biog- 
raphy. The latter was nine years of age 
when he came to America, and passed his 
youth in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, 
where he had the advantage of the public 
schools. He continued a resident of that 
county until 1888, and then removed to 
Clark County, and located on the farm where 
he now lives. He purchased at the time 120 
acres, ten of which were cleared; he has now 
about fifty acres under cultivation, and in 



time will reclaim the whole from the state in 
which nature left it. The life of the pioneer 
is not an easy one, and only those who have 
experienced it can appreciate the privations 
and hardships to which the early settlers 
were subjected. Mr. Steinfeldt began his 
career without any means, and it is through 
his own exertions that he has accumulated 
his property. 

Politically he affiliates witli the Republi- 
can party, and has represented the people of 
his township in many of its offices. 

1862 he enlisted as a member of Company 
B, Twenty-seventh Wisconsin Volunteer In- 
fantry, and served until the close of the war. 
He was honorably discharged in September, 
1865, at Brownsville, Texas; he participated 
in Banks' Red River expedition, and in the 
I)attle8 of Little Rock, Jenkins' Ferry, Prai- 
rie Duane, Vicksburg Spanish Fort and in 
the siege of Mobile, and several minor skir- 
mishes, but was never wounded or taken 
prisonei'. 

Mr. Steinfeldt was married December 23, 
1869, to Miss Margaret Huyck, of Sheboy- 
gan County, Wisconsin; she was born in 
Canada, June 17, 1851, and is a daughter of 
Aaron and Margaret (DeLong) Huyck, na- 
tives of the State of New York, and now 
residents of York, Clark County, Wisconsin. 

Mr. and Mrs. Steinfeldt are the ])arents of 
one daughter, Mildred, the wife of John Ebbe, 
further notice of whom will be found in this 
volume. 

•"»i | « 3 ii t ' | 



fHOMAS FITZMAURICE, a farmer of 
township 24, range 4, section 18, where 
he has eighty acres, was the eldest son 
of David and Mary (Nowlin) Fitzmaurice, of 
County Mayo, Ireland. His brothers and 
sisters were John, Peter, Mary, Ellen and 



CLARK AM) JACKSON COUNTIES. 



355 



Sarali, none of whom came to America. Tlieir 
inotlier liaJ three hrotliers anil no sisters. 
Mr. FitzmaUrice's maternal grandparents 
were natives of County Roscommon, Ireland. 
The ancestry on both sides is traceable 
through a long series of generations. 

Mr. Fitzniaurice was born December 22, 
1828, and at the ajre of twenty-two years he 
came to America, landing at New York, in 
June, 1850, and remained in the State of 
New York till the autumn of 1854, when he 
came to Dane County, Wisconsin, and pur- 
chased forty acres of land and settled upon it. 
In 1856 he sold out there and came to Jack- 
son County, locating in the township of Alma, 
now called the town of Cleveland. Three 
years later he again sold out and purchased 
his present home. When he first came here 
he had been preceded by only Messrs. Ilorrel, 
Notteter, Flick, 13ever, (Tilliland and Wilson, 
with their families. During the first winter 
he had to go many miles for Hour and gro- 
ceries, and carry his purchases on his back. 
The grist-mill and trading post were seven- 
teen and twenty-two miles away. During the 
first year he raised nothing but a few beans, 
potatoes and ruta-bagas. Neither doctors, 
lawyers nor preachers were here in those days. 
Previous to 1860 Mr. F'itzmaurice was a 
member of the Town Board and Assessor. 
The first postoffiee to which his mail was 
brought was eighteen miles away, and the 
few neighbors took turns in goiny for the 
mail, with the understanding that it was to 
be left at some certain place convenient for 
all. 

March 27, 1853, Mr. Fitzmaurice married 
Miss Wealthy Snow, at P'orestville, Chautau- 
qua County, New York. Her father, Samuel 
Snow, had lived in that vicinity from boy- 
hood, his parents being from Madison Coun- 
ty, that State. Mr. Fitzmaurice bad three 
brothers an<l one sister: Levi, Kzra, Mar- 



cius and lihoda. By her father's second mar- 
riage there were Mary, Hester, Almira, Lewis 
Abigail. Three of these came West: Mar- 
cius, Mary (since deceased) and Al)igail. Mr. 
and Mrs. Fitzmaurice have had four childrcm, 
as follows: David, born June 26, 1854; Mary, 
August 16, 1858; Ellen, September 12, 1863; 
and Hester August 81, 1866. All these are 
married, Mary lost her husband and returned 
to her old home to remain with her parents; 
David was married, November 23, 1879, to 
Mary Pierce; June 27, 1879, Mary married 
Alfred Markham, now deceased; September 
12, 1881. Ellen was married to Clark Mark- 
ham; and May 13, 1888, Hester was married. 
They all reside in this State. 



5g^gl^rLLIAM AxMASA THOMAS, one of 
'WH the most important and influential 
citizens of Melrose Township, was 
born July 11, 1832, in Cambridge, Crawford 
County, Pennsylvania, a son of William and 
Eliza (Burt) Thomas, both natives of Massa- 
chusetts. The father \va,f born in 1799 and 
died in 1840; and the mother, iwrn in 1809, 
is now spending the evening of her life with 
her daughter, the wife of Hon. John Stewart 
in Elbiirn, Kane County, Illinois, an<l for one 
of her age is comparatively hale and active. 
Mr. Thomas, our subject, losing his father 
when young, had early in life the re- 
sponsibilities of bread-winning thrown upon 
him. At the age of thirteen he began work- 
ing for a neighboring farmer, receiving for 
his services $3 a month. He continued 
working by the month until seventeen years 
of age, when he was aj)prenticed to a shoe- 
maker in Meadville, Pennsylvania, for three 
years. At the end of this time he started 
out in the world for himsulf, lirst strikinir 
Walerbtrd, Pennsylvania, where he worked 




ijne 



niOGUArilWAI. Hl^sTORi OF 



at his trade until the fall of 1851. Then he 
went to St. Charles, Kane County, Illinois, 
where he did journeyman's woi-k till tlie 
sprintr of 1852. lie then decided to come to 
Wisconsin and engage in farming, locating in 
Poynett, Columbia County, on rented land, 
which he tilled for two years. In the sum- 
mer of 1855 he came to Jackson County 
and entered land, where he remained live 
years with his two brothers, Dwight and 
Henry, keeping bachelor's hall. 

He married, May, 1861, Miss AchsaL.Van- 
ness. Three children were born by this 
union, of whom two died in infancy unnamed. 
The third, Charlie, died at the age of fifteen 
months. 

Mr. Thomas lived on his farm one summer 
after his marriage, theu went to West Salem, 
La Crosse County, where he engaged in boot 
and shoe making. His wife's health not iie- 
ing good, he concluded that a change of cli- 
mate would be beneficial; and, selling his 
property in Wisconsin, lie went to Osage, 
Iowa, where he bought a farm of eighty 
acres and also some city property. He en^ 
gaged in the boot and shoe business and at 
the same time had his farm under cultivation. 
In the winter of 1865 his wife died, leaving 
him little Charlie, three months of age. 
Shortly afterward he sold his stock of goods 
and rented his property and returned to Wis- 
consin. In 1866 he bought the village of 
North Bend and its water power, situated on 
Black River. He began improving the place 
and utilizing the water power. Among 
other improvements he built a flouring mill. 
He induced others to settle there, selling 
ihem lots on which to build. Through his 
energy and push North Bend has grown to 
be one of the prosperous villages of Jackson 
County. Two churches have been built. 
The Methodist Church was built through his 
push and influeiu-e, he materially assisting 



by coutiii)Uting $600 out of his own pocket. 
The bridge crossing Black River at North 
Bend was built by his efforts,' and but for 
him would probably never have been built. 
His flouring mill he has etdarged and fur- 
nished with all the improved machinery for 
manufacturing flour. He was engaged for 
seven years in mercantile business, but ten 
years ago he discontinued it and rented his 
store-house. He owns, in addition to his 
mill, a store-house, three dwellings, a good 
many vacant lots which he will sell only on 
condition that they be improved. In addi- 
tion to this property he owns 320 acres of 
land, making one of the best stock farms in 
Jackson County. 

In 1870 he married Ella IT. Morrison, of 
La Crosse Count}', daughter of James and 
Mary Morrison, natives of Nova Scotia. They 
have had si.x children, namely: Charles A., 
Melvin, deceased, Ettie, deceased, James, 
Burtie, deceased, and Emma. 

Mr. Thomas, while taking an active in- 
terest in political questions, has never aspired 
to ofiice, and has frequently refused to be a 
candidate for any office. He works in no 
party yoke, is whipped by no party lash, and 
confessess no political creed, but honestly ex- 
ercises his franchise in the interest of pure 
men and good government. He and his wife 
are members of the Methodist Church, in 
which they are active workers and liberal 
contributors to charities. Their walk in life 
is exemplary. 

— -«|->'Ki«^- 

ROBERT W. SPARKS, a farmer of sec 
tion 24, township 23, range 1 east (Sher- 
wood Forest), was born February 28, 
1859, in Sullivan County, Nevv York, the 
youngest son in a family of eight children, 
three daughters ant! Ave sons. Their names 




CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



357 



were: Tlioinas, James and John (twins), 
Jesse I'., Kobert W., Elizaljetli, Emily and 
Hannah. All these are married excepting 
Jesse and James, and are all settled in the 
town of Sherwood Forest excepting Emily, 
who was married in New York State and 
never emigrated West, and is now deceased. 
Seven members of the family reside here. 
Mr. Sparks' father, born July 25. 1818, was 
originally from Schoharie County, New York, 
and removed with his family to AYashara 
County, Wisconsin, in 18G9. Seven years 
later he came to Clark County, where he is 
still living. He had one brother and seven 
sisters. His mother, whose maiden name 
was Silvia Calkins, was born in 1813, of par^ 
ents originally from Connecticut, who located 
in Sullivan County when that region was new, 
and died in 1871. The grandfather Sparks 
came to this State in the '50s, locating in 
Plaintield, Washara County. The grand- 
father Calkins was born in Connecticut, but 
lived and died in New York State, over 
eighty years of age. The great-grandfather, 
James Sparks, served in the war of the Revo- 
lution and finally died of cancer. While he 
was in the war his wife was left at home and 
was forced to secrete herself at night to avoid 
the Tories and Indians. The uncle of the 
subject of this sketch, named also lujbert 
Sparks, enlisted in the late war, in 1861, and 
served to the end; was in the battle of Mur^ 
freesboro and several others. At one time 
he was rejjorted dead, but he is still living, 
in Portage County, this State. 

Mr. Robert W. Sparks, our subject, was 
married October 3, 1883, to Miss Julia E. 
Messing, who was a daughter of George and 
Marian Messing, of Portage County. In 
their family were two sons and eight daugh- 
ters, all of wliom live in this State, — five in 
Clark County. Her father's parents were na- 
tives of Germany. The grandfather was forty- 



one years of age when he canio to this country, 
and he and two of his sons died of cholera just 
as they were landing at New York. Mrs. 
Sparks' maternal grandfather was Irish, and 
her maternal grandmother was a Connecticut 
lankee. Her mother's father's name was 
Eager, and her mother's mother's name was 
Chandler. The children of Mr. Sparks are: 
Laura Grace, born September 22, 1884; 
Myra Viola, March 30, 1886; Edna May, 
May 27, 1887; Bessie Naomi, October 24, 
1888, and Cyrus Clyde, April 8, 1890. 



NDREW N. VIKCH, a general mor- 
i chant and dealer in hay and produce at 
-^^ Curtis, was born at Lillethum haa Yos- 
se.--tranden Bergen Stiff, Norway, July 14, 
1845, the son of Borjonel Nelson (deceased), 
a native of the same place, who lost his life 
while off trading. Our subject came to 
the United States on June 7, 1854, and lived 
in Chicago one year, and in 1855 moved to 
Detroit, where his mother married Peter An- 
derson, a master mechanic of the Michigan 
Central Railroad. In March, 1857, they re- 
turned to Chicago, where the mother died, in 
June of the same year. September 23, 1858, 
Mr. Virch went again to Detroit to live with 
his aunts, where he attended the Bishop Union 
School two or three years. He next enlisted 
in the late war, August 15, 1862, in Com- 
pany E, Twenty- fourth Michigan Volunteer 
Infantry, serving throe years, being dis- 
charged June 30, 1865, and acted as Division 
Commissary Sergeant by appointment. After 
the war, in 1867-'68, he went to school for 
one season, and then to Chicago and worked 
at the carpenter's trade until 1870, when he 
came to Dane County, Wisconsin, and re- 
mained until September 21), 1872. Iti that 
year he came to the town of Beavei', now 



358 



BIOORAPHTCAL HISTORY OF 



Majville, settling on tlie northwest quarter 
of section 14, townsliip 29, range 1 east, and 
honiesteaded 160 acres (a soldier's right) 
where he lived until 1882. He next came 
to Curtis and estal)lisiied the iirst store and 
postoffice in the place. When he first came 
here deer, bear and Indians were plentiful 
but never gave him any trouble. He began 
business with $250 in money, and now car- 
ries a stock of $2,000, his annual sales be- 
ing $6,000. 

Mr. Virch was married in Dane County, 
Wisconsin, February 15, 1873, to Betsy Nel- 
son Kjerie, daughter of Knut Kjerie, de- 
ceased. They have had three children, two 
of whom are still living: Ledia and Anne. 
The mother died June 30, 1880, and Mr. 
Vircii was again married, August 15, 1883, 
to Lena Fleasram, daughter of Andrew Fleas- 
ram, deceased. They have four children: 
Lottie, Emma, Niron and Theresa. Both 
he and his wife are members of the Lutheran 
Church, and the former is also a member of 
the G. A. R. He has been School Clerk for 
the past eight years, and also eight years 
Notary Public, and Justice of the Peace six- 
teen years. 

-... ^ .i..I. ?. . 



fOHN A. McCARTY, of Hixton, Clark 
County, was born in Luzern County, 
Pennsylvania, December 18, 1847, the 
son of Dominick McCarty, formerly of this 
place, and a native also of Ireland, near Loch 
Erin, born May 12, 1798. He was taken 
to London, England, when a small boy, where 
he was apprenticed to a shoemaker, which 
business he followed several years. He came 
to Prince Edward's Island when a young 
man, and was there married to Matilda Mc- 
Laren, a native of that place. He worked at 



his trade there several years, and then came 
to Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, ahuut the 
year 1888. They were tlie parents of ten 
children, six of whom are still living, viz.: 
Catharine, Elizabeth, Joim, William, Maggie 
and Mary E. The eldest child, Margaret, 
died at the age of sixteen years; Charles H. 
died in 1882, at the age of forty-seven years; 
James, in 1876, at the age of thirty-eight 
years. 

Mr. McCarty's parents came to La Crosse 
County, Wisconsin, in the spring of 1857, 
settling on a farm, where he attended the 
common schools. He was a soldier in the late 
war, in Company C, Forty-ninth Wisconsin 
Volunteer Infantry, serving one year. After 
the war he went to Melrose, Jackson County, 
where he farmed two years, and in the fall of 
1807 came to this county. He worked in the 
pineries during the winters, and on the farm 
for W. H. Mead in the summer until 1872, 
when he settled on his present farm of 200 
acres. He has run logging camps several 
years for others, and also for himself several 
winters. Mr. McCarty was the first Post- 
master at Longwood, having been first ap- 
pointed in January, 1874, by U. 8. Grant, 
which office he held until 1876, when he re- 
signed. He was also the first Town Clerk of 
Hixton, and held the ofiice from 1875 to 
1886; was Assessor two years; Chairman of 
the Town Board one year; Constable one 
year; Justice of the Peace three years; Clerk 
of School Board six years; School Director 
three years, and is now serving his fourth 
year as School Treasurer, and has also filled 
the office of Town Treasurer by appointment 
one year. 

Mr. McCarty was married January 1, 1872, 
to Jeanette Smith, daughter of Christopher 
Smith, and they have three children, — Almon 
H., Haskell and Dora E. Mr. McCarty is a 
member of the I. O. O. F. at Greenwood, and 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNT I US. 



359 



also tlie G. A. li. Post. .Ilia wife is a iiiein- 
l)er of tlie Metlioili.st Episcopal Cluircli. 

^ • 3"I * ^ '' '" 



IfSOSEA WHISTON DAVIS, a farmer of 
section 17, towiisliip 25, range 1 east, 
was born Jnly 4, 1837, at Stockholm, 
St. Lawrence County, New York, the fourth 
son of Daniel R. Davis, who had five (laugh- 
ters and eijfht sons, all born in New York 
State. The father was horn in Shoreham, 
Vermont, and was one of the early settlers of 
eastern, or the Champlain region of New 
York. He had one brother and one sister. 
The brother, Amos, settled in the town of 
Moriah, Essex Count}', New York, and reared 
live children. The sister, Abigail, married 
John Noble McArthur, of Scotch descent. 
The grandfather was of the second generation 
from the immigration of the family from 
Wales to this country. Daniel K. Davis 
married Miss Maria Cilidden, one of a family 
of one son and five daughters. Her ancestry 
can be traced back to the French on her 
mother's side, to one Joseph Wliiston, and to 
the Irish on her father's side. The mother 



IS 



still alive and in vigorous health for 



woman of her age, — eighty-four years. The 
father died April 9, 1867, at theage of seventy 
years, at the old homestead in Stockholm, 
New York, which ])laco has since passed into 
the hands of strangers. Abigail McGowen, 
a grandmother of the subject of this sketch, 
was of Scotch origin but of aline who had been 
long in this country. 

Mr. Davis, whose name introduces this 
sketch, married Miss Nancy Bowman, of 
Lisbon, St. Lawrence County, April 13, 18(13. 
Slio was the youngest of eight childnui (four 
sous and four daughters) of James liowman. 
William, Joseph and Susan Bowman, two 
brothers and a sister, were born in Ireland, 



while James, Thomaa, Eliza and Mary were 
American born. Ai>out ISU! the itareiits 
came to this country, locating in St. Lawrence 
County, New York. Mrs. Davis' iriother, liy 
birth Katherine McO'Vene, was of an Irish 
family. She, with two other members of the 
family were all that ever decided to remain 
in this country. After a residence of twelve 
years in the East, Mr. Davis moved to this 
State, and lived a year in Gratit Township 
and a year in York Township, Clark County. 
Soon after his arrival in this State he pnr- 
cliased eighty acres of land on section 17, in 
township 25, range 1 east, and maile it a 
permanent home. The land was secured from 
the Fox River Improvement Company, and 
he proceeded to make for himself a pleasant 
home. 

He has three children, namely: Abbie Ma- 
ria, born at Stockholm, New York, March 10, 
1864; Sherman, born February 18, 1867, at 
the same place; and Gordon M., July 16, 
1878, on the old homestead in Clark County; 
and Abbie Maria, who married Georo-e 
Harding September 8, 1880, and is the mo- 
ther of four children: Theron B., Edith, 
Ethel and Esther. Sherman married Lessie 
W. Heath, October 1, 1890. 






ARL RICHELEU, a farmer of Green- 
wood, was born near Threuuohjem, Nor- 
way, September 15, 1888, the son of C. 
N. Richeleu, deceased. Our subject came to 
the United States in 1861, settling in Spring- 
field Township, Jackson County, Wisconsin, 
fifteen miles west of I'lauk River Falls, on 
wild prairie land, whei-e he was engaged in 
hunbering dui'ing the winter months, and in 
farming in the summer. He was drafted in 
the late war in the first draft in Wisconsin, 
in 1863, and served three months, having 



3fiO 



monuAruwAL iirsroiiY of 



been discharged on account of sickness. lie 
came to tliis county in 1871, settling on his 
present farm on section 36, township 27, 
ranpe 2, Warner Township, near Greenwood, 
which was at that time covered with heavy 
timber. He owns 120 acres, of which nearly 
seventy acres is cleared, where he is engaged 
in general farming and stock-raisins'. 

Mr. Iliclieleu was married in February, 
1862, to Cliristena A. Christianson, a native 
of Norway. They have had seven children, 
four of whom are now living, — Theodore M., 
Christian C, Mary Ann and Charles. Chris- 
tian married Jennie Severeon, and now re- 
sides in Warner Township. Mr. Richelen 
was a member of the Town Board several 
years, of which he was Chairman one and a 
half years. He has been Road Overseer ten 
or twelve years; a member of the School 
Board several years, of which he is now a Di- 
rector. Religiously liotli he and his wife are 
members of the Lutheran Church, and politi- 
cally he is a Republican. He is an enter- 
prising and public-spirited citizen, taking a 
great intei-est in the growth and development 
of his county. He gives liberally to charit- 
able and benevolent purposes. 



IB * ' a) 

jRSON CORNWELL.— Located on sec- 
tion 10, Pine Valley Township, is the 
elegant residence and productive farm 
of the subject of this sketch. Mr. Cornwell 
is one of the practical farmers of Clark 
County. He was born December 24, 1829, 
the son of Smith and Roily Cornwell, both 
natives of New York. His parents died and 
are buried in Jefferson County, that State. 
In 1850 Orson became an apprentice to the 
carpenter's trade. He was very industrious 
and economical, and by the lime he was mar- 
ried had saved up $500. May 15, 1866, he 



came to Wisconsin and here continued work 
at his trade for some years, after which he 
turned his attention to farminsr- 

December 24, 1857, Mr. Cornwell wedded 
Hannah Goodrich, who was born in Jefferson 
County, New York, August 19, 1835. Her 
paternal ancestors were English people. She 
was reared in her native State, is a lady of 
much education and culture, and takes an 
interest in literary matters. This union has 
been blessed with one child, Isabelle, a gradu- 
ate of the Neillsville High School. Mr. 
Cornwell's political views are in harmony 
with Republican principles. He is a member 
of tlie K. of II., and is a most worthy citizen. 
Mrs. Cornwell is a member of the W. C. T. U. 



^wS- 



fRANCIS M. HARLOW, of section 33, 
Warner Township, Clark County, was 
born in Hasting? County, Upper Canada, 
July, 10, 1833, the son of Hezekiah and Jnlia 
A. (Weese) Harlow. The father was the son 
of John Harlow, a ship carpenter by trade, 
who came from England when a young man; 
the mother was a daughter of John Weese, 
of German ancestry. The parents had ten 
children, only three now living: Mary A., 
now Mrs. Ilubbell, of Hastings County, Up- 
per Canada; Francis, our subject, and Charles 
E., who, if living, resides in New York State, 
but has not 1)een heard from for several years. 
The subject of this sketch was reared to 
farm life, and educated in the common schools 
of his native county, where he also worked at 
the carpenter's trade. He came to this county 
from Canada in 1856, where he was subse- 
quently naturalized, and first voted for Fre- 
mont. He entered 160 acres of land one mile 
south of the village of Loyal in Loyal Town- 
ship, the same fall, Init on account of sickness 
ill his family he returned to Canada, and 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUJSTIE'i. 



361 



thereby lost liis claim. He remained until 
1865, when he came to Genesee County, 
Michigan, bringing his family, and remained 
until the spring of 1868. Then on account 
of his wife's sickness, he returned to Canada, 
and in June, 1872, removed to tliis county, 
settling on bectioii 20, township 27, range 2 
west. In the fall of 1874 lie settled on his 
jiresent farm of forty acres, thirty- two of 
which he has since cleared. He erected a 
tine frame house, which wasliurned February 
y, 1882, and nearly every thing was consumed, 
witli no insurance. 

Mr. Harlow was married December 5, 
1855, to Miriam Ilubbell, a daughter of J3arce 
(deceased) and Candace ((Tuernsey) Ilubbell, 
the former a native of Upper Canada antl the 
hitter of Counecticnt. Mrs. Harlow's uncle, 
Nehemiah Ilubbell, is eighty-two years of 
age, and still lives on the place where he was 
born, in Hastings County, Upper Canada, 
and is very wealthy. Mr. and Mrs. Harlow 
have had seven children, three of whom are 
now living: William W., George F. and 
Miriam E. William married Louisa Hocks, 
lives in this township, and has one child, 
Dimple May. Both Mr. and Mrs. Harlow 
are members of the Baptist Church, the for- 
mer having united with tliat church over 
twenty-live years ago, and the latter when 
seventeen years old. Socially Mr. Harlow is 
a member of the I. O. (). F. fraternity, and 
])olitically is a Republican. 



." 



^ . . 3m; ..4.. 



P^ENRY IIUNTZICKER, a farmer and 
stock-raiser of Eaton Township, (Jlark 
County, was born in Alsace, France, 
November 8, 1833, the son of Frederick 
(deceased), a native of the same province. 
Emigrating to the United States in 1853, he 
was first employed in woolen factories ;it 



Wolcottville, Connecticut, and Plymouth, 
same State, until 1856, when he came to this 
county. The first year here he was employed 
by a man named Conrad in clearing a tract 
of land in Weston Township; and he also 
worked several winters in the pineries. He 
settled upon liis present farm of 280 acres in 
1862; it was then all in heavy timber; 100 
acres is now cleared. A portion of his live- 
stock consists of Cotswold slieei) and craded 
short-horn cattle. His brother George, of 
Neillsville, settled near him at the same time, 
and two years later his brother Jacol), who 
died June 7, 1888. 

December 18, 1864, is the date of Mr. 
Iluntzicker's marriage to Mary E. Waten- 
phnll, a daughter of Philip Watenpliull, 
deceased; she was born in Prussia, January 
29, 1840. The children are John Henry, 
born January 1, 1867; Jacob William, No- 
vember 6, 1871; Albion C, May 3, 1874; 
Clara M., July 3, 1870, and Robert C, May 
23, 1881. One son, Elmer F., was scalded 
to death when three years old by falling in a 
pail of hot water. John H. married Miss 
Maria, daughter of John Nicliol, of Eaton 
Township, and lives with his father, the sub- 
ject of this sketch, carrying on a cheese fac- 
tory. Frederick Iluntzicker, the father, had 
seven children, four of whom are living. 
John is living on Long Island, New York, 
and Frederick is living in Alsace. Mrs. 
Iluntzicker's parents had twelve children, six 
of each sex; eight are living: besides Mrs. 
Iluntzicker, there are William, Adam, Henry, 
Philip, Katie, Anna and Julia. Their father 
died in Jackson County, Wisconsin, in 
December, 1883, where he had settled 
in 1867. The parents emigrated from Prus- 
sia to Washington County, Wisconsin, in 
1846, when Mrs. Iluntzicker was six mouths 
old, and they settled in the woods ab.tut 
thirty miles from Milwaukee, in which 



362 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF 



town they did their marketing. Mr. Waten- 
phull took his produce to that place in an ox 
wagon, requiring three days each way to make 
the journey. 

The subject of this sketch has been a mem- 
ber of the Townsiiip Board, and Chairman of 
of the same at two different times; was Town- 
ship Treasurer six years; and member of the 
School Board for sixteen or eighteen years. 
In politics he is independent. He and his 
wife are Lutherans in religious faith, but 
they attend the Presbyterian Church, as there 
is no Lutheran Church near. 




:iLLIAM HUNTLEY, of section 31, 
town 25, range 2, Weston Town- 
ship, Clark County, was born in 
Washington County, Wisconsin, March 25, 
1848, the son of William Huntley (deceased), 
a native of Scotland, who came to Buffalo, 
New York, as early as 1841, and thence to 
Milwaukee in 1843. He was a shoemaker, 
and worked at his trade in this city for sev- 
eral years, or until his death, which occurred 
in .August, 1853. Onr subject's mother, 
whose maiden name was Mary Burks, was a 
native of Shefheld, England, and now lives 
on the old homestead near our subject, on 
section 29, this township. They were the 
parents of five children: Annie, Richard, 
William, John and Thomas. Annie and John 
live in Neilisville, Richard in Chippewa Falls 
and Thomas in La Crosse. William served 
in the late war in Company G, Fifty-first 
Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, remaining 
three months; and Richard was also in the 
war, in Battery D, First Wisconsin Heavy 
Artillery, serving three years. 

Our subject came to tliis county in the fall 
of 18B7 and worked in the pineries; returned 
to Milwaukee in the spring of 1863; and the 



same spring came again to this county, set- 
tling on his present farm, which was then 
covered with heavy timber. He built a log 
house in which he lived until 1884, when he 
erected his present tine frame, 18x26 feet, 
two stories high, with an L 18x26, one and 
a half stories, at a cost of $1,000. He owns 
100 acres of land here, sixty acres of which 
is cleared, and altogether has about 18,000 
acres in this county. 

Mr. Huntley was married ' April 9, 1873, 
to Mary V. Newcomb, a daughter of Martin 
Newcomb, deceased; she came to this county 
in 1872. They have seven children, viz.: 
Elva R., John VV., Ellen R., William, Charles 
and Grover C. Elva is now attending the 
high school at Neilisville. Mr. Huntley has 
followed surveying for several years. He is 
now a candidate on the Democratic ticket for 
County Surveyor. 



^ENRY La BOSSIER, a general mer- 
chant of Dorchester, was born in Frank- 
lin County, Vermont, December 14, 
1851, the son of John and Idell (Martell) La 
Bossier, both natives of France. The father 
came to Canada when quite small, and after- 
ward settled in Central Fall, Rhode Island, 
wheie he still resides. They were the parents 
of twelve children, nine of whom still sur- 
vive, viz.: Joseph, Henry, Peter, Ealtirese, 
Ililliard, Melvina, Mary, Lawrence and Louis. 
The subject of this sketch removed with 
his parents to St. Mary, Canada, in 1854, 
where he was reared on a farm, and educated 
in the French language. In November, 1868, 
he came to Janesville, Wisconsin, and worked 
as a farm hand until 1875, when he removed 
to Fond du Lac County, this State, and en- 
gaged in the boot and shoe business with J. 
Boulais. In April, 1876, they came to Dor- 



CLARK AND JACKSON C0UNTJE8. 



8G3 



Chester, wliere they enjraged in their fortner 
business, and hiter in general merchandising 
and lugging. In 1882 Mr. La Bossier bought 
iiis partner's interest, and lias since continued 
alone. lie carries a capital stock of $10,(KH), 
his annual sales being from $20,000 to 
$24,000. He is also engaged in buying, 
pressing and shipping hay. Mr. La Bossier, 
was Postmaster here nearly four years, under 
Cleveland, but never seeks other public office. 
He was married February 18, 1878, to 
Ida, daughter of Isaiah Roy, of Fond du 
Lac, Wisconsin. They have four children: 
Josephine, Melvina, Wilford and Eveline. 
Religiously Mr. La Bossier is a nienaber of 
the Catholic Church, and politically a Demo- 
crat. 



■' g ' 3 . ■ ; -!;'- 



fRED A. LEE, Neillsville, Wisconsin, 
was born in Yorkshire, England, in 
September, 1828, and came to America 
with his fatlier. There were eight children 
in the family, four of whom located in Wau- 
kesha County, Wisconsin. The father bought 
a tract of land there, which he cleared up and 
developed into a tine farm. At the early age 
of fifteen Fred began to sujiport himself, 
working out by the month and receiving 
small wages. His education was obtained in 
the common schools of AVaukesha County. 
He learned the cigar trade in Milwaukee and 
was engaged in the maiiutacture of cigars 
eight years. 

Mr. Lee married a Wisconsin lady, Lizzie 
Kotchson. Eight children have been born 
to them, seven of whom are living, all hav- 
ing received a good education. The subject 
of our sketch located in Clark County in 
1868, having little or no means when he 
came here. For twelve years he clerked for 
J. J. C. Thompson & Co. Since July, 1881, 



he has been agent for the American E.xpress 
Company. Mr. Lee has starved the public 
as J ustice of the Peace two years. Town 
Clerk six years and City Treasurer two terms. 
He affiliates with the Democratic party, and 
is regarged as one of the honorable and up- 
right citizens of Neillsville. His wife is a 
member of the Episcopal Church.. 



-^ "I ' l i' l - l '-^ 

fOHN MARX was born in Germany, 
August 15, 1846, and left his native land 
when a boy sixteen years old. He came 
to Canada, and a few years later, in 1879, 
located in Washington County, AVisconsin, 
where he engaged in farming. His time has 
since been variously employed — farming, 
lumbering, burning brick, etc.; and by his 
own exertions he accumulated enough to buy 
a nice little farm of forty acres. It is lo- 
cated three miles from Neillsville, on section 
3, Pine Valley Township, Clark County. 

March 13, 1865, Mr. Mar.x married Addie 
Allings, who was born in Wisconsin, Septem- 
l)er 6, 1850, the daughter of German parents. 
Mr. Marx is at present building a neat resi- 
dence on his farm, which he expects to oc- 
cupy soon. Ho is ranked among the best 
citizens of the township. Politically he is a 
Democrat. 



fOlIN McGROGAN, a livery, transfer, 
dray and mail carrier of Tiiorp, was 
born in Guclph, Ontario, November 5, 
1848, the son of James McGrogan, a native 
of County Antrim, Ireland, who came to 
Connecticut as early as 1845. He was a 
farmer by occupation. (3ur subject's mother, 
iiee Jane Gibbs, was a native of County Ty- 
rone, Ireland. They were the parents ot six 



8GJ 



BIOORAPaiCAL IIIsrORY OF 



children, four of whuin still survive: John, 
Felix, Eliza and James. 

Our suhject catne to Wrightstown, Wis- 
consin, in the fall of 1871, and thence to 
Dorchester, this county, in 1874. While in 
the latter place he worked in the pineries, 
and also took contracts for cutting wood for 
the Wisconsin Central Railroad Company, 
lu 1879 he went to Connecticut, hut the next 
year returned to this county, locating in 
Abbotsford, where he remained one year. 
When he reached that place he did not have 
enough money to pay for his dinner, but 
succeeded in borrowing some money. He 
next went to Stanley, Chippewa County, and 
in October, 1881, came to Thorp. The place 
then had but one-half of a mile of turnpike 
road, and there were but six or seven build- 
ings in the city. He first began draying 
with a yoke of oxen, which he afterward 
traded for a team of horses, and he now owns 
seven horses, live carriages, two double bug- 
gies, six cutters and a dray wagon. He owns 
a livery stable and a tine residence. 

Mr. McGrrogan was married May 12, 1878, 
to Margaret Finnegan, daughter of Michael 
Finnegan, now deceased. They have had 
six children, live of whom are still living, 
viz.: William, Martha A., Olive M., Martha 
and Margaret. One daughter, Agnes A., 
died in infancy. The mother died January 
22, 1885, and Mr. McGrogan was married 
July 8, same year, to Hannora Sullivan, 
dancrliter of Frank Sullivan, late of Erown 
County, Wisconsin. 



►>»^ 



iRADBUKY C. WILTIMORE, of the 
tirm of Wiltimore Rros., general mer- 
chants of Dorchester, was born in Can- 
ada East, December 21, 1852, the son of 
Daniel and Catharine (Jaques) Wiltimore, 



the former a native of Derry, New Hamp- 
shire, and the latter of St. Lawrence County, 
New York. The father went to Canada 
when a young man, and in 1855, with his 
family, emigrated to Waushara County, Wis- 
consin, settling on Indian lands. The red 
men were numerous at that time, but never 
gave the family any trouble. Mr. and Mrs. 
Wiltimore had ten children, viz.: Elmina, 
Daniel O., Lucy, Alice, James A., Augustus, 
Eliza, John A., Bradbury and Arthur. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on a 
farm, and educated in the villages of Plain- 
field and Lodi, New York, and graduated in 
1872 at the Commercial College. He then 
entered the establishment of S. O. Root, of 
Lodi, as book-keeper in his wholesale hard- 
ware store, remaining until 1877. In that 
year he came to Dorchester, and in 1873 en- 
gaged in his present business, in company 
with John A., and they carry a capital stock 
of $6,000, doing an annual business of $18,- 
000, which has constantly increased. Mr. 
Wiltimore was Postmaster here from 1880 
to 1886, and was Town Chairman In 1881- 
'82. Politically he is a Republican. 




PSKB^ILLIAM H. MARDEN, "the 
hunter,'' residing on section 2, Wes- 
ton Township, Clark County, was 
born in Upper Canada, fifty miles from 
Quebec, March 12,1845. His father, Joseph 
A. Marden, was a native of Massachusetts, 
who came West with his family in 1854, 
settling in Richland County, where he now 
lives. His mother, whose name before mar- 
riage was Lucy Annis, was also a native of 
Massachusetts. Of their thirteen children, 
eleven are still living, namely: Clifton S., 
Riley, Joseph A., Mary E., Alfred C, Will- 



CLARK AND JACKSON COl'NT/KS. 



363 



iam H. (subject), Lorenzo D., Edwin J., llat- 
tie, AlUei-to L. and Solomon S. 

Mr. Marden, tlie jiresent snhject, was 
brought up on a farm and while a youth 
learned the blacksmith's trade, following it 
twelve years. In the late war he served one 
year in Company K, Second Wisconsin Vol- 
unteer Infantry; was taken prisoner at the 
battle of Bull Run, and held ten month.s, 
when he was paroled, e.xchanged and dis- 
charged; but he re-enlisted October 1, 1863, 
in Company A, Thirtieth Wisconsin Volun- 
teer Infantry, and served until September 20, 
1865, when he was honorably disciiarged in 
Louisville, Kentucky. He was in the battles 
of Nashville, Shiloh, Baton Rouge, with the 
Indians elsewhere, etc. 

In the fall of 1865 he came to Richland 
County, this State, but traveled most of the 
time for a year. November 18, 1866, he 
married Charlotte Williams, daughter of 
Ceorge D. and Dorcas (Riser) Williams, of 
Richland. She was born in Marion County, 
Ohio, September 8, 1846. Her parents had 
nine children: Olive, Edward, Nancy, Char- 
lotte, I'olly, W. Jacktion and Caroline. One 
son, John, died a prisoner at Andersonville 
during the late war. Mr. and Mrs. Marden 
have had eleven children, ten of whom are 
living, namely: George H., Mary J., William 
W., Seymour L., Charles H., Ivy T., Steven 
A., James I., Cora E. and Benjamin. 

Mr. Marden resided in Richland County 
from the time of his settlement there until 
he located at his present place in the spring 
of 1877, exce])ting three years he spent in 
(Jhio. He settled upon his present farm in 
the dense forest, entering a claim to 45.8'4 
acres under the homestead laws, which he 
still owns. In his ])olitical views he is a Re- 
publican. 

His sobriquet of "the hunter" is well 
earned, and he has killed 50 deer since his 



settlement here, and about the same number 
of bears, the latter of which he catches in 
traps. He has also killed eleven fo.xes and 
twenty- seven wild cats. He killed one deer 
that dressed over 300 pounds. At present 
he has a barrel of venison salted down from 
deer which he killed last fall. The preceding 
autumn he secured one bear and eleven deer, 
and in 1888 three bear and nine deer. Oc- 
tober 15, 1890, he killed a deer that weighed 
200 pounds dressed. Once he killed a lynx 
that weighed 100 pounds. 



RIEL SPENCER BROWN, one of the 
old and respected citizens of Jackson 
^^ County, was born Feliruary 5, 1820, a 
son of Ariel D. and Betsey (Ward) Brown. 
His father was a native of New York, and 
his mother of Vermont. Paternal grand- 
father John Brown was an old soldier of the 
Revolutionary war, having enlisted when a 
boy sixteen years of age. Jonathan Wanl 
served in the war of 1812, his commanding 

to 

officer being General Brown. Ariel is of 
English descent, born in New York, and 
when a boy his parents moved to Ohio, in 
which State he was brought up. His father 
was one of the old pioneers of Ashtabula 
County, Ohio. In 1848 he married Miss 
Sarah Ann Noble. In 1856 he, in company 
with his faithful wife, came to Wisconsin, 
buying a farm of 160 acres on sections 6 and 
7, towufhip 22, Jackson County. He bc^an 
cultivating and improving his farm, which 
he still owns, and it is now one of the bc^st 
farms in the county. The country here whcui 
he first came was thinly settled. Black River 
Falls was a mere hamlet. The Shamrhai 
House was the only hotel, iuid Mr. Brown 
sold liutter, eggs, etc., to the laudlonl of that 
then noted hostelry. 



366 



BIOORAPUWAL HISTORY OF 



The union of Mr. and Mrs. Brown was 
blessed with four children. The oldest 
daughter, Marian, is the wife of Edward 
Noble, in Sauk County; the next, Sarah Ann, 
is married to George Bennett, of Barron 
County, this State; tlie third and youngest 
daughter, Maria, died in 1891. The only 
son, Ariel D., lives with his father. Mr. 
Brown and his noble wife can truly be called 
pioneers of Jackson County. For forty-two 
years tliey walked hand in hand down the 
pathway of life, each being a joy and com- 
fort to the other; but she grew weary, and 
on February 22, 1890, rested by the wayside 
and left him to journey alone. This devoted 
wife and loving mother was a metnber of tlie 
Methodist Church, and died as she had lived, 
a true and faithful follower of the Lamb, her 
last words being, "Jesus is most precious." 

Mr. Brown and all his children are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Church, and the chil- 
dren are following closely in the footsteps of 
their Christian parents. Mr. Brown has 
passed the seventieth mile-post of life, and 
awaits tiie Master's call to join his faithful 
wife in tlie beautiful home beyond the pearly 
gates. 



sLBERT PRIBBERNOW, of section 1, 
Green Grove Township, Clark County, 
was l)orn in Pommern (Pomerania), 
Prussia, March 3, 1855, the son of J. Freder- 
ick and Sophia (Wussow) Pribbernow. The 
parents came to the United States in 1871, 
settling first in Dodge County, Wisconsin, in 
Hermann Township; in 1873 tliey removed 
to Toledo, Ohio, and in 1876 to this county, 
where they now reside, in Green Grove Town- 
ship. They had nine children, five of whom 
are now living, viz.: VVilhelniina, Augusta, 
Caroline, Louise and Albert. Two daughters. 



Ulricke and Ernstine, died after reaching 
maturity; both were married and left fami- 
lies. Another daughter, Emily, died at the 
age of seventeen years, and another died in 
infancy. 

Albert, their only son, came to the United 
States in 1872, coming direct to Hermann 
Township, Dodge County, where he worked 
as a farm hand until 1876, and then came to 
this county. He was first employed on the 
Spaulding farm in South Fork during the 
summers, in the pineries during the winters, 
and driving logs in the spring. In 1880 he 
settled on his present farm of 160 acres, 
sixty-two of which is cleared. He was mar- 
ried July 8, 1880, to Caroline Schuman, a 
daughter of Fred Schuman, deceased. They 
have had live children, four now living: 
August, Arthur, Lena and Adelia. Mr. 
Pribbernow was Assessor three years of 
Colby Township, then including Green 
Grove; Town Clerk one year; School Clerk 
three years, and Justice of the Peace two 
years. Religiously he is a member of the 
Lutheian Church, and politically a Democrat. 



'i^ * 3 i ' ! * (j) '" ' ■ ' 

fOHN K. PRAY , book-keeper and general 
manager for the D. J. Spalding Lumber 
&c Mill Company, is one of the most 
energetic and progressive young business men 
it has been our pleasure to meet, and we 
cheerfully record the following brief sketcii 
of his life. He was born in Black River 
Falls, Jackson County, Wisconsin, March 20, 
1860, and is a son of Herman H. and Anna 
J. (King) Pray, natives of Michigan and 
New Jersey respectively. They were early 
settlers in Jackson County, and iiave en- 
countered and passed through all the trials 
and discomforts of pioneer life. They were 
united in marriage at Black River Falls, 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



no? 



Wisconsin. Four children were born to tliem, 
the second being John K. He was reared in 
his native place, where he received a practical 
education that has well fitted him for the 
duties devolving upon hitu in his present re- 
sponsible position. 

In the year 1888, in the month of April, 
Mr. Pray was called to the situation which 
he has since so ably filled. He has entire 
charge of the books of this large lumber firm, 
and acts as general manager. It is a line of 
work requiring good business ability and 
sound judgment, both of which he possesses 
to more than an ordinary degree; he has given 
perfect satisfaction to his emploj'ers, and 
they are to lie congratulated upon securing 
the services of so capalile a person. 

Politically our subject affiliates with the 
Democratic party. Mr. Pray was joined in 
wedlock September 9, 1885, to Miss Cora M. 
Mortiboy, of Hixton, Jackson County, Wis- 
consin. Mrs. Pratt was born in Sechlerville, 
Wisconsin, September 1, 1864, and is a 
daughter of Edward and Katie (Voose) Mor- 
tiboy. One child liasljeen born of this union: 
Hazel 11. 



►^.H 



fOlIN (). SMITH, foreman and chief en- 
gineer of the saw and planing mills of 
the Sterling Luinl)er Company, Sterling, 
Clark County, was born in New Brunswick, 
January 4, 1857, the son of William and Eliza- 
beth (Armstrong) Smith, l)Oth also natives of 
New Brunswick. They had three children: 
James C, Henry D. and John O. The lat- 
ter was reared to farm life, and received his 
education in the comtnon schools of his na- 
tive country. He served an ap[>renticesliip 
of four years at the l^lacksmitii's trade in 
Fredericton, New Hrunswick, and in 1876 
removeil to Kingman. Maine, where he again 



served an apprenticeship of two years in the 
machine shops. He ne.xt worked in Ilolton, 
same State, for F. Sharp Bros, until 1880, 
when he came to Eau Claire County, AViscon- 
sin, and worked at the blacksmith and mill- 
wright's trade for the Northwestern Lumber 
Company, and was also second engineer for 
the same company at Wheaton three years. 
He came to Sterling in the spring of 1886, 
and commenced work for the Eau Claire Lum- 
ber Company as engineer, and when the busi- 
ness was purchased by the Sterling Company, 
he was continued by them, and now has gen- 
eral control of the engines and machinery in 
both the saw and planing mills. 

Mr. Smith was married in Maine, April 6, 
1877, to Rachel Carr, a daughter of W. H. 
Carr, deceased. They have four children: 
Maggie E., Grant W., Jimme E. and Roy. 

— *|->^f-|— 

f[()SEPII R. STERLING, of the Sterling 
I Lumber Company, Sterling, Clark Coun- 
ty, was born in Somerset County, Maine, 
April 7, 1846, the son of C. I., a native of vVn- 
son, Maine, Init now also a resident of this 
place. Our subject's mother was also a native 
of the same place. They were the parents of 
seven children, six of whomstillsurvive: Julia, 
Jdhn, Philena, Joseph, Caroline and Aurilla. 
The parents came to Black River Falls, Wis- 
consin, in 1853, when the Indians wei'e nu- 
merous, and where the father engaged in 
lumbering. 

Josej)h R., our subject, was educated in 
Black River Falls, and has been engaged in 
lumber most of his life. He served in tlie 
late war, in Company K, Tenth Wisconsin 
Volunteer Infantry, remaining four years, 
and was in many hard-fouglit battles. He 
caine to this county in 1860, where he worked 
for AV T. Price in the ])incries two years, and 



368 



nWOIlAPirWAL IIISTORT OF 



was engaged in driviuor logs in tlie siiimners. 
He began first in a humble situation, and rose 
to the position of superintendent and general 
manager, and is now a member of one of the 
largest lumber companies here. The firm 
owns about 5,000 acres of pine and hard- wood 
land in Clark County, and do an immense 
business, employing 100 men in their mills 
alone, besides running three camps which 
employ 100 men also. The mills run day 
and night, and they ship in nearly every di- 
rection. 

Mr. Sterling was married April 30, 1871, 
to Angle Fessenaber, daughter of Henry J. 
Fessenaber, of Sterling. They have two chil- 
dren: Gertrude, born April 30, 1874, and 
Everard F., October 8, 1877. Mrs. Sterling 
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church; and politically Mr. Sterling is a Re- 
publican. 

The Sterling Company's saw-mill was 
erected in 1882, by the Eau Claire Lumber 
Company, and was transferred to the Sterling 
Company in 1888. The main building is 
150 x 32 feet, and two stories in height. They 
use the hand-saw and band re-saw, driven by 
the Phfenix engine, which is a 175-horse 
power, supplied by a battery of three Kinney 
Eros, boilers, 32 x 44 inches each, besides a 
pump boiler. The capacity of the mill is 
60,000 feet in ten hours. The mill and yards 
are supplied by electric lights, generated by 
a dynamo in the mill. The engine and boiler 
room is 24 x 50 feet, and the electric licrht 
room is 16 x 20 feet. The logs are brouo-ht 
from their camps and those in the neighbor- 
hood camps in winter, and during the summer 
of 1890 they ran the mill night and day. 
Their planing mill was erected in 1886, and 
is a large frame, tiie main building being 
120x50 feet, with engine and boiler room 
18 X 36 feet. They use the Fisher & Mallory 
26- inch double surfaccr, the Willoughby, 



Rugg & Richardson fourteen -ineli flooring- 
mill, and also have self-feed rip-saws and 
other machinery, driven by a sixty-horse- 
power Stevens' Roint engine, supplied with 
steam from an 18x4 feet boiler. 



EORGE B. PARKHILL, an attorney, 
Notary Public and Pension Notary of 
Thorp, was born in Lennox, Madison 
County, New York, February 26, 1861, the 
son of Eli Parkhill, a native of the same 
place. He emigrated to Marquette County, 
Wisconsin, in 1867, settling on a farm, and 
in the spring of 1874 removed to Marathon 
County, where he died November 18, 1888. 
He was a carpenter by trade, and also held 
various offices in the latter county. He was 
a soldier in the late war, in Company L Fif- 
teenth New York Infantry. Our subject's 
mother, Susan A. Niles, was a native of Gal- 
away, Saratoga County, New Y^ork. Mr. and 
Mrs. Parkhill had nine children, of whom 
seven are still living, namely: William L., 
Niles S., Reuben E., Hiram J., George B., 
Jesse F. and Fred. A. Their two daughters 
died in infancy. 

Tiie subject of this sketch attended the 
common schools until fifte^ years of age, 
when he began teaching. He secured a 
teacher's certificate when fourteen years ol<l, 
and taught several terms. In 1879 he at- 
tetded the State Normal School at Oshkosh, 
Wisconsin, and in 1880 graduated at the Osh- 
kosh Business College. After that he was 
engaged as book-keeper for S. M. Weber in 
Oshkosh for four months, and then went to 
Manitowoc and clerked in a general store a 
short time. He next went to Mitchell, Da- 
kota, engaged as book-keeper for the Oshkosh 
Lumber Company, where he remained two 
months; then returned to Manitowoc and 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



3GS) 



kept 1) >oks for the estate of Joiiali Richards 
two luoiulis; next returned to the college, 
where he taught school and also read law. 
In the fall of 1883 he entered the law de- 
partment of the University of Wisconsin at 
Madison, graduating at that institution Jutie 
18, 1884. Mr. Parkhill then opened an of- 
fice in Thorp, June 25, satre year, and has 
liuilt up a <^ood practice in its various de- 
partments. He was Justice of the Peace a 
number of years, and is now assistant Post- 
master. He is a inemher of the Modern 
AVoodmen, and of the sons of Veterans. He 
was married November 15, 1887, to Belle M. 
Salisbury, and they have one child, Oakley 
L., born July 22, 1890. 

EORGE WILLIAMS, a prominent 
farmer of Clark County, was born in 
Ontario County, New York, in Decem- 
ber, 1826, one of a family of ten children, 
only four of whom grew up, — one daughter 
and three sons. The family came from 
Wales many years ago, in three brandies, one 
of which settled in New Jersey, one in 
Massachusetts and one in New York State. 
Our suljject is of the Massachusettp branch, 
although born in New York State. His 
father was a representative man, of sterling 
worth and crood education for the times in 
which he lived. From youth to the age of 
forty years he was a teacher; and he was 
seventy years of age wlien with his wife he 
accompanied his three sons to this State, 
settling in this county. Here ho lived to the 
remarkable age of 100 .years, one montli and 
fourteen days. His wife survived iiim three 
or four years, and died at the age of seventy- 
nine years. The Williams family came to 
Clark County in June, 1855, and, e.Kcepting 

the families of Thomas Wage, Sr., and Levi 
as 



Marsh, were the first settlers within a radius 
of eight miles. To reach this point they had 
to make a journey of seventy miles, from 
Sparta, with their own team, through an un- 
broken region. Durinf the first several years 
of their residence here, especially the third 
and fourth years, they had to endure many 
hardships. Their present comfortable home 
is a magical contrast to the desolate, dreary 
and monotonous wilJiiess of those primitive 
times. Mr. Williams' two brothers, Isaac 
and Eia, have married and settled, the former 
in Wood County, just over the line from 
Clark, and the latter within the same section 
as that upon which he himself lives. 

Mr. Williams married Mary Morse, who 
was of a family from Lewis County, New 
York, and they have had nine children, six 
of whom are living, namely: Anna, Amelia, 
Willis, Jane, Salina ami Henry. The four 
daughters are married and two are settled in 
Clark County, one in Wood County and the 
other in the State of Washington. The two 
sons, yet unmarried, remain upon the home- 
stead with their parents, content to remain 
with, and lighten the cai'es and burdens of, 
jtarents now passing down the decline of life, 
res])ected by all. 



ULLEN A YE II, a prosperous farmer 
residing on section 18, Unity Town- 
ship, is deserving of mention in this 
connection, and we gladly allot the followiniT 
space to a sketch of his life. He was born at 
Emden, Somerset County, Maine, March 2, 
1841, and is a son of Jonas and Leah (Nut- 
ting) Ayer, natives of the same State and 
county. The family removed to Iowa Coun- 
ty, Wisconsin, in 1845, when the country was 
new and thinly settled, and the j)rivations 
and hardships of the pioneer wei-e no small 



370 



BIOORAPHICAL niSTOBT OF 



consideration. In 1868 they went to La 
Crosse County, Wisconsin, where the father 
died in 1874, at the age of sixty-seven years. 
The mother is still liviiiir, and resides in 
Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, at the ad- 
vanced age of seventy-seven years. 

Jonas Ayer was a farmer by occupation, 
but after emigrating from Maine to Wiscon- 
sin he worked in the lead mines for several 
years at Mineral Point. In politics he was a 
stanch adherent to the princijiles of the Whig 
party, and in later years voted with the Re- 
publicans. 

There were twelve children born to Jonas 
Ayer and wife: Jane, Ellen, Leah, Sophia, 
Cullen, Owen, Jonas (1), Jonas, (2) Eliza- 
beth, Esther, Caroline, and Augusta. 

Cullen Ayer was the fifth of the family; 
he was reared at Mineral Point, Wisconsin, 
and there received his education. At the age 
of seventeen years he began working in the 
timber on Black River, and has been con- 
nected with this business ever since, meeting 
with more than an ordinary degree of suc- 
cess. As his means have increased he has 
invested in land until he now owns 840 acres, 
on sections 7, 17, 18, and 21, Unity Town- 
ship. It was in 1871 he settled at his pres- 
ent home on section 18; tiiere he has 170 
acres cleared and in a good state of cultiva- 
tion. It has been no light task to place this 
land in a condition for the plow and reaper, 
but energy and determination will overcome 
almost insurmountable obstacles. Starting 
in life with no capital, as did our worthy 
subject, the success which lias crowned his 
efforts is the more to be commended. 

Politically Mr. Ayer is identitied with the 
Republican party. During the late civil war 
he was in tiie Government emph)y, in the 
Quartermaster's department. For fourteen 
years he has been chairman of the Town 
Board, and for the same length of time has 



served most efficiently on the County Board. 
Mr. Ayer was united in marriage August 
8, 1864, to Miss Mary J. Lampshire, of Min- 
eral Point, Wisconsin. Mrs. Ayer was born 
in England, February 16, 1847, and is a 
daughter of Henry and Catherine (Ilarrisj 
Lampshire, also natives of England. They 
emigrated to America in 1848, and settled at 
once at Mineral Point, where tiiey resided for 
many years. Mr. and Mrs. Ayer are the par- 
ents of eleven children: Edgar, Cullen, Jr., 
Frank, Jonas, William, Leonard, Mary J., 
Owen, Belva, Leah C. and Adelia. Frank 
died in 1881, at the age of eight years. 



►>tj- 



lEOROE WILDING, Sr., one of the 
early settlers of Wisconsin, was born in 
Kent County England, March 11, 1816. 
He left his native land and came to America 
in 18.50, and the following year located in 
in Waukesha County, Wisconsin. He is 
what might be called a self-made man, for 
when he started out in life lie had no capital 
save a willing hand and a detortnination to 
succeed. He rented a farm in Waukesha 
County and during the thirteen years lie re- 
mained on it he saved $400. He lias been a 
resident of Clark County for twenty years, 
having settled here in 1871. Previous to 
that time he bought eighty acres of land on 
section 21, Grant Township, on which he 
paid taxes a few years before taking po.-ses- 
sion of it. From a wilderness he cleared and 
improved the land until it now ranks among 
the leading farms of Clark Connty. 

Mr. Wilding used irlasses for over twelve 
years, but now has his second eye-sight and 
can see well to read any kind of print. Few 
men have endured more iiardships in the 
early history of Wisconsin than he. Hy his 
industry and economy he has reared a large 



VLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



371 



tatnilyof cliiklren, and is now in independent 
circumstances. He has been married twice, 
and lias children by iiotli wives. His present 
conipanidn has shared with him the vicissi- 
tudes 'jf life and both are enjoying the com- 
forts which their savings have provided. 
Mr. "Wildinir and liis wife have been blessed 
with unusually good health, neither liaving 
been sick a day in their lives. Mr. AVildiug 
favors the pnblic schools and all enterprises 
that tend to the public good. He is one of 
tiie worthy and respected citizens of the 
county. 



[EORGE WILDING, Jk., of Grant 
Township, Clark County, was born in 
England, November 17, 1841, and was 
brought to this country by liis parents when 
lie was only four years old; a few years after- 
ward they located in Clark County in 1867. 
Young Wilding was not eighteen years old 
when the great civil war broke out, and he 
joined Company I, First Wisconsin Cavalry 
Volunteers, as a private, and participated in the 
battles of CapeGirardeau (Missouri), Lookout 
Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Murfreesboro, 
under General Sherman, Chickamauga, Buz- 
zard's Roost, Atlanta, Nashville, under Gen- 
eral Thomas, helped to chase General Lyons 
out of Kentucky, and his regiment was prob- 
ably the best that Wisconsin ever sent out. 
On account of an injury received in service 
he is drawing now a small pension. He was 
honorably discharged in 1865, after a service 
of three years and six months. 

This year he married Mary Rehorst, and 
they had three children, all of whom are liv- 
ing. He purchased forty acres of land three 
miles east of Neillsville, which he cleared and 
improved and on which he made his home. 
In 1872 his wife died, and he was subse- 



quently married, in Clark Couuty, to Miss 
Maria Hitchcock, whose death followed fifteen 
years afterward. For his third wife Mr. 
Wilding wedded Minnie West, of Grant 
Township, antl by this marriage there is one 
daughter, the pride of the family. 

Mr. Willing is one of the prosperous 
farmers of Grant Township. His farm is 
located on section 21, where he is giving 
special attention to stock-raising, in which he 
has been very successful of late. He has 
also had a large experience in the lumber 
business. All that he possesses is the result 
of his own honest toil and tcood mana^einent. 
Politically he is. a Republican. 



LBERT D. BASS, a manufacturer of 
aiXA% and dealer in pine and hard-wood lum- 
^^^ ber, lath, shingles, pickets, and also in 
general merchandise, at Mayville. His large 
mill was erected by himself and Nathan 
Clark in 1881, and in 1885 Mr. Bass bought 
his partner's interest. The capacity of the 
mill is 30,000 feet per day, and cuts from 
two to three millions each year. Our sub- 
ject was born in Windham County, Connecti- 
cut, July 30, 1854, the son of Charles and 
Waity (Allen) Bass, both natives of Connecti- 
cut. Albert D., their only child, was edu- 
cated in the public schools of Hartford, but 
at the age of fourteen years left school and 
clerked a short time in a clothing store at 
Danielsonvilie. He then returned to Hart- 
ford and worked in a grocery store a few 
months; next went to Leeds, Massachusetts, 
where he kept books for the Northampton 
Emery Wheel Company until the spring of 
1874. In that year he came West, and finally 
landed at St. Paul, and then went to Hutch- 
inson, McLeod County, Minnesota. Being 
short of means he went to work as a farm 



372 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF 



hand, which he continued a sliort time, and 
tlieii taught school near l)y, in Meeker 
County. In tlie spring he came to La 
Crosse, and in June to Longwood, this 
county, where he worked on the Withee farm 
until tali. Next he worked in the woods at 
skidding, continuing for Hixon & Withee 
until the fall of 1879, when he and Nathan 
Clark engaged in logginjr, in which they 
were very successful. Their camps were in 
the vicinity of Curtis, hut were located per- 
manently here until 1881. 

Mr. Bass was married August 10, 1881, to 
Emma Knecht, daughter of Gabriel Knecht, 
deceased; she was born in La Crosse County, 
Wisconsin. Mr. Bass was Chairman of this 
town one year, and has taken the first degree 
in Masonry, hut there is no Masonic lod^je 
here. 



(RWIN F. BROOKS, lumberman and 
contractor, and a farmer of section 8, 
township 24, 1 east, has 140 acres in 
the homestead farm and 160 acres of timber. 
He was l)orM in the town of Eaton. Lorain 
County, Ohio, December 11, 1851, a son of 
Bartiineus and Elizabeth O. (Smith) Brooks. 
In his father's family were the following chil- 
dren: Alonzo E., Alva A., Henry, George 
AV., Dan H., Erwin F, and Lettie, all of 
whom are living except Alva and Henry. 
During the iirst year of the Mebellion Alva 
entered Company A, Seventh Iowa Volun- 
teer Infantry, and served two years and ten 
months, being in many battles, etc., when 
after a short sickness he died in a hospital at 
Memphis, Tennessee. George also was in 
the service near the close of the war, being 
with Shermati in his march to the sea. Will- 
iam Henry died at the age of twenty- two 
years. 



The Bruol^s family came to Wisconsin in 
1858, and first lived a year or moi'e in Sparta, 
next for a time near La Crosse, and in March, 
1860, removed to Clark County. 

Bartiineus Brooks was born in the town of 
Dummerston, Windham County, Vermont, 
November 20, 1786. He had five brothers 
and two sisters, all natives of that State, and 
three of the brothers served the American 
cause in the war of 1812, — Jeliiel, Bartimeus 
and Dan; and Hiram was in the Mexican 
war. Of this branch of the Brooks ancestry 
one came to Ohio and one to Kansas. Mrs. 
Elizabeth O. Brooks was born November 22, 
1809. in Morris County. New Jersey, an<l is 
still living. Site had three brotliers, but no 
sisters. In an early day her father moved 
with his family from New Jersey to Cayugi 
Couhty, New York. Decmber 25, 1882, 
Erwin F. Brooks married Minnie Mcliityre, 
and has had the following children: Elsie M., 
born June 8, 1884; Mabel G., June 13, 
1886; and Raymond, January 26, 1888. 

Mr. Bartiineus Brooks purchased the 
present homestead, which originally com- 
prised 400 acres, and commenced clearing, 
and continued the hard work of pioneering 
it up to the time of his death, July 2, 1875, 
since which time his son, the subject of this 
sketch, has carried forward the good work. 
The farm is in good cultivation, thoroughly 
equipped with tine farm buildings. The 
sister. Miss Electa, and the mother are with 
him on the homestead. Of the brothers, 
Alonzo resides on section 9, same township, 
while Dan lives in Wood Countv, and Georije 
is in California. Erwin's grandfather, a 
farmer, was one of the early pioneers near 
Montreal. Mitchell Arquette's ch.ldren were: 
John, who is livincr in the town of Richfield. 
Wood County; Mary, now the wife of George 
Dawes, in Necedah, Juneau County, this 
State. 



CLARK jiNl) JACKSON COUNTIES. 



37:i 



There are cases of li)n<revity in tlie ances- 
try of our subject. Bartiinevis, Alva, Iliram 
and Mary Urooks all lived to be over eiglity- 
eiglit years of age. 

— . .«>» 11.1?.?! It..? c. 



,NDREW J. J^ULLARL), a farmer and 
stock-raiser of section 24, Weston 
Townsiiip, was horti in Menominee, 
Michigan, June 6, 1842. His father, San- 
ford Billiard, deceased, was one of tlie earliest 
settlers of Milwaukee, a millwright by trade, 
and was temporarily em])loyed in his trade at 
Menominee, residing there with his wife 
when Andrew was born. His mother, whose 
maiden name was Martha Gasser, was a 
native ot Switzerland, and brongrlit to Amer- 
ica when eight years of age. Her father died 
en shipboard, on their voyage to this countr}', 
and the children came on and settled in Oliio. 
Her mother is now residing at Little Falls, 
Minnesota, nearly eighty years old. 

Mr. Billiard, our subject, was reared to 
farm life, and served nearly four years in the 
late war, in Com|)any D, Twelfth Wisconsin 
Volunteer Infantry, engaging in the sieges 
of Vicksburg, Jackson and Atlanta, and was 
with Sherman in the grand marcli to the sea. 
Duriurr the tnost of his time in service he 
was Corporal. 

After the war he lived in Washington 
County, following agricultui-e, until the au- 
tumn of 1870, when lie moved to Clark 
County, entering a claim to a tract of heavy 
timber land under the homestead laws, where 
he now resides. In the spring of 1871 lie 
erected a pole shanty, and kept " bach " 
while he cut the trees off of three acres. The 
next fall he built a log house, and during the 
ensuing winter was employed in the j)ineries. 
The next spring lie liought a farm here. He 
now is the owner of a q iiarter section of 



good land, of which eighty-tive acres are 
cleared. He devotes his attention to general 
agriculture and the rearing of live-stock. 
His cattle are Holstein and short- horn. He 
has been Clerk of the School Board, is now 
Trustee of his School District, County Super- 
visor, and is agent and director of the Lynn 
Insurance Company, which is one of the best 
in the country, and on account of its low 
rates is most available for the farmers. In 
his political principles he is a Republican. 

■■ ..I ii g . i ii ; . g 



fOIIN M. DAILEY, of section 14. Colby 
Township, was born iu Oneida County, 
New York, October 29, 1818, the son of 
Samuel (deceased) and Elizabeth (Meggs) 
Dailey; the former was a native of Connecti- 
cut, and the latter of Mohawk Valley, New 
York. The parents had nine children, three 
of whom survive: Emily, John and Lebbeus. 
John was reared to farm life and educated in 
the public schools of liis native county. lie 
came to Wisconsin in 1854, and lived one 
year in Oshkosh, engaged in the saw-mills. 
In 1855 he went to Fond du Lac and worked 
at the same occupation until 1862, when he 
enlisted in the late war, in Company A, 
Twenty-first Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, 
and served nearly three years. lie partici- 
pated in the Iiattles of Perryville, Stone 
River, Chickamauga, siege of Atlanta, Ben- 
tonville, and was also with Sherman to the 
sea. After the war Mr. Dailey returned to 
Fond du Lac, and worked in the machine 
shops until 1873, when he caine to this 
county and settled on his present farm. The 
place was then covered with timber, witli no 
roads, and he was obliged to carry every- 
thing on his back from Colby. There was 
not a iiouse or clearing from the latter place 
to Stevens' Point. He homesteaded 160 



P.74 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF 



acres, tliirty of which lie cleared, but after- 
ward solil all but two acres, seventeen of the 
latter being cleared. 

Mr. Dailey was married May 23, 1843, to 
Maria Palmer, and they had four children, 
two of whom survive — George and Mary. 
The mother died in 1866, and Mr. Dailey 
was again married, August 16, 1868, to Mrs. 
Naomi Thresher, dautrhter of Abel Bradway, 
deceased. Pi-evious to this union she had 
been twice married, first to Leander Z. Cha- 
pin, by whom she had seven children, six 
now living, viz.: Leander, Uavid, William, 
Lovisa, Austin and Caroline. She was mar- 
ried a second time, to Joseph Thresher, by 
whom she had six children: Mary, Henry, 
Alvira, Albert, James and Charles. Mr. 
Dailey has been a member of the Town Board 
two terms, and chairman of the same one 
term. Socially he is a member of the G. A. 
R., and politically a Republican. 



^EORGE GARFIELD was born October 
ipiWr 5, 1859, son of Moses A. Gartiekl and 
Wl Anna M., his wife. His father came 
to Wisconsin in 1866, and located in Clark 
County, where he bought 120 acres of wild 
land. By hard work he cleared up and put 
100 acres in good farming shape. He was a 
very industrious man, and also cleared a 
great deal of land for other people. Ilis 
death occurred in 1885. Mr. Garfield was 
fond of reading and made it a point to keep 
himself posted o)i the general topics of the 
day, and by all who knew him he was much 
esteemed for his many noble qualities. Of 
their six sons and six daughters, four sons 
and three daughters are living, the subject of 
this sketch being the eighth born. He re- 
mained with his pai-ents up to the time of 
his father's death. August 16, 1881, he was 



married to Dosty Howard, a native of Brown 
County, Wisconsin, born in 1862. Two chil- 
dren have been born to them — Bessy and 
Frank. Mr. Garfield votes the Republican 
ticket. His farm, the one formerly occupied 
by his father, is located on section 17, Pine 
Valley Township. Mr. Garfield's mother 
died October 9, 1889, and is buried in the 
Neillsville cemetery. 



|HARLES F. JAHN, of section 84, 
Clark County, was born in Saxony, 
Germany, June 1, 1851, the son of 
Gottlieb Jahn, a native of the same country. 
He brought his family to the United States 
in 1852, settling in the woods eight miles 
from Sheboygan, where he cleared a large 
farm. He remained there many years, but 
subsequently sold it for $10,500, and is now 
retired and living in the city. He was the 
father of eight children: Theresa, Pauline, 
Edward, Charles, Gustav, Louise, Ida and 
Johnadohn. Our subject's mother died sev- 
eral years ago, and the three last named chil- 
dren are by his second wife. 

Charles F. was educated in the common 
and private schools of Sheboygan County. 
In 1864 the family removed to Rockland, on 
Lake Superior, in Upper Peninsula, Michi- 
gan, but the father returned in 1867. In 1869 
Mr. Jahn came to De Pere, Wisconsin, where 
he worked in an iron blast furnace until the 
fall of 1878, when he came to this county, 
settling on his present farm. He owns 160 
acres of good land, sixty acres of which is 
cleared. He has worked in the pineries most 
of the winters since coming to this State. 

Mr. Jahn was married January 31, 1875, 
to Louise Korp, a daughter of Edward and 
Johannah (Horn) Korp, of Maple Grove, Wis- 
consin. They have had four children, three 



CLARK AM) JACKSON COUNTIES. 



875 



of whom are now liviiijr: Emma. William 
and (Jai'oliiie. ]\[r. Jalm was Assessur uf jiis 
county four years, aiul was cliairuiaii uf tlie 
hoard one year. Politically he is a Democrat, 
and religiously a member of the Lutheran 
Church. 



,Ni)UE\V EMEKSON.— Away over the 
sea, among tiie pine clad hills of Nor- 
way, lived Lars Emerson, a brave and 
iiardy son of the northern clime. He wedded 
Paulina Johnson, and to thetn were born 
eleven children: Emory, John, Henry, Emma, 
Andrew, Nettie, Julia, Bender, Matthias, 
Eliza and Julia Tlie father was proprietor of 
different mills, both saw and ^rist mills, and 
was very successful in his business. In 1854 
he emisjrated to America, and settled on a 
farm in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, where 
he passed the remainder of his days; the 
mother is still living, and makes her home 
in Dakota with a son. The parents were both 
uprii^ht ;ind consistent members of the Lu 
tlioran ('hurch. 

Andrew Emerson, son of Lars and Paulina 
(Jolmson) Emerson, was born in Norway, 
June 24, 1844, and was a lad of ten years 
when his parents came to America; he was 
trained tu the occupation of a farmer, and 
worked with his father until the latter's death; 
he then bought the old homestead in La 
Cro-se County, Wisconsin, which he still 
owns. When (j[uite a yountj; man he en- 
gaueJ in one of the leading industries of 
Wisconsin, lop;ginp;, and has been connected 
with the business ever since that time; for 
the past twenty years he has managed a lum- 
ber camp in the pineries, and is now asso- 
ciated with the La Crosse Luml)er Com[)aiiy. 
In 1875 Mr. Emerson purchased 320 acres 
(tf choice farming laud in Loyal Township, 



and eighty acres in Heaver Township; from 
time to time he has added to this investment 
until he now owns 2,000 acres, all of which 
is clear of debt. His improvements are of 
modern style and substantial character, and 
are not surpassed in the county; he has 
erected large and convenient barns for storing 
the products of his broad acres, and has built 
a residence that is a home in every sense of 
the word. 

Politically our subject is identified with 
the Republican party. He has been called to 
represent the people of his township and 
county in various ottices, and has always dis- 
charged his duties with that integrity and 
loyalty which are characteristics of the man. 
In reviewing the accomplishments of Mr. 
Emerson, from the time he set foot upon our 
shores in helpless childhood, to the present, 
when he is surrounded with all that makes 
life desirable in the way of means, home, and 
friends, we are filled with admiration and 
deep respect for the energy, perseverance and 
wisdom that have brought about so liap])y a 
consumm.ition. 

In 1873, October 13, Mr. Emerson was 
united in the holy bonds of marriage to Miss 
Helen Johnson, a native of Norway, born 
October 10, 1850. They are now the parents 
of live children: Julia, Lawrence, John, 
Frank and Elsie. 



fOlIN SCHWAMB, of section 11, Wes- 
ton Township, Clark County, was born 
in Washington County, Wisconsin, Oc- 
tober 10, 1861, the son of Jacob Schwamb, 
deceased, and a cabinet-maker by trade. Our 
subject was reared in Cedar Creek, a smal 
village in his native county, and worked on a 
farm. He came with his parents to this 
county in October, 1877, settling on section 



370 



nWGUAPUICAL niSTURY OF 



12, across the road from his present home. 
The place was then a dense woods, and all 
had to work hard to clear a place to raise 
crops. Mr. Schwamb now owns forty acres 
of land, sixteen of whicli is cleared, where 
he is engaged in general farming and stock- 
raising. 

He was married April 5, 1884, to Mary J. 
Blanchard, a daughter of Freeman S. and 
Hannah (Iveyser) Blanchard, of Minnehaha 
County, South Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. 
Schwamb have two children: Arthur and 
Lulu, born March 29, 1885, and June 14, 
1890, respectively. Mr. Schwamb is a Re- 
publican politically, and is an enterprising 
young man, interested in his country's wel- 
fare. For further account of his parents see 
biography of Jacob Schwamb. 



fAMES SHORT.— This gentleman, who 
is one of the successful farmers of Clark 
County, resides on a farm of 120 acres, 
wliich is located on section 18, AVashburn 
Township. He took this as a homestead 
claim in 1869, and by the expenditure of 
much labor he cleared up thirty acres which 
were at that time a wilderness. He also 
cleared about eighty acres for other parties. 
Mr. Short was born in Madrid, New York, 
July 17, 1830. About forty years ago his 
parents came to Wisconsin and settled in 
Jefferson County, becoming early pioneers of 
that district. Ilis father still resides there. 
Of the eleven children his parents reared all 
are living except two. James received his 
education in Jelferson County, and remained 
with his parents until he was twenty. He 
then began to work out by the month. The 
first six niontlis he received a three-year-old 
heifer, one pig and three dollars in money. 
He continued to work !)y the month until the 



war broke out, when he with three of his 
brothers entered the army, enlisting in Com- 
pany D, Tweuty-ninth Wisconsin Infantry, 
Captain Bryant. He participated in the bat- 
tles of Grand Gulf, Champion Hill, Vicks- 
burg, Sabine Cross Roads, and remained in 
the Gulf Department until the war closed. 
At Sabine Cross Roads Mr. Short was cap- 
tured, but made his escape and traveled five 
miles in the niajht to get back to Union ranks. 
He was in active service until 1866, \\4ieii he 
was honorably discharged. At one time 
while drawing a ball from his gun he acci- 
dentally shot off two of his fingers. The war 
over he returned to his home in Jefferson 
County. 

Mr. Short has been twice married. His 
first wife, nee Mary Elliott, of Jefferson 
County, Wisconsin, whom he wedded August 
3, 1860, died during the war, in 1864 She 
bore him one child, that is also deceased. 
December 4, 1871, Mr. Short was married, 
in Clark County, to Martha Shopp. They 
are the parents of three children. The sub- 
ject of our sketch affiliates with the Republi- 
can party and is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church. He has served as School Treasurer 
five years and as a member of the Town Board 
one year. 



tARS W. LARSON, the present Post- 
master and grocer of Greenwood, was 
born near Christiania, Norway, August 
1, 1853, the son of Lars Larson, a native of 
the same place. He brought his family to 
the United States in 1860, settling in Black 
River Falls, but afterward removed to Spring- 
field Township, Jackson County, eleven miles 
west of his tormer location. Our subject's 
mother died when he was nine years old, 
after which the father gave up housekeeping, 



CL^UiK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



377 



and the children were placed ainong the 
neighbors until large enou<rh to provide for 
themselves. Mr. and Mrs. Larson had five 
children, one of which died in the old coun- 
try; our subject's twin brother, Ole, lives in 
Black River Falls, and the other brother, 
Peter, died in 1887, at the age of thirty-one 
years. The father was again married, and 
by this union there were three children: 
Nelson, Carl and Amelia. He died in Au- 
gust, 1890. 

Lars \V., our subject, came to this county 
about eighteen years ago, and first worked in 
tlie woods during the winters, and rafted 
lumber down the Mississippi River in the 
summer. lie afterward conducted a camp 
for Robert Schofield four years, and also for 
Price & Gibson three years. In 1884: he set- 
tled permanently in (Ireenwood. Mr. Larson 
was married, May 28, 1882, to Mary Peter- 
son, daughter of Elias Peterson, of Green- 
wood, and they have three children : Lottie, 
born March 2, 1883; Ella, May I'J, 1885; 
and Alvin L., July 22, 1887. Mr. Lars<m 
was appointed Postmaster in July, 1889. 
Socially he is a member of the Masonic order 
at Neillsville, and politically a Republican. 



IIIARLES STERRITZKY has been an 
important factor in the early history of 
Lynn Township, Clark County, and is 
to-day one of the prominent farmers and busi- 
ness men of Lynn. He was born in Ger- 
many, May 5, 1832, and was oidy eight years 
old when he was brought to this country by 
his parents who had a family of four chil- 
dren. In 1841 his father located in Mil- 
waukee, where he remained twelve years, 
working by the month, and during that time 
not only supported his family, but also saved 
enough of his earnings to buy foi'ty acres of 



land near Milwaukee. In 1856 he took up 
his abode in Clark County, bought 280 acres 
of land and became one of the early pioneers 
of Lynn Township. 

The subject of this sketch remained with 
his parents until he was twenty-eight years 
of age. Then he started out for himself, on 
eighty acres of wild land. During the win- 
ter he was employed in the pineries and in 
the summer worked on his farm. l!y judi- 
cious management he accumulated money 
enough in this way to buy eighty acres more 
land. His farm was a wilderness at the time 
he bought it, but he industriously went to 
work to clear it up, and not only accom- 
plished that, but also added to it by more 
recent purchase, now being the owner of 120 
acres of choice land. This is located on sec- 
tion 8, Ijynn Township, and adjoins the vil- 
lage of Lynn. Until 1889 Mr. Sterritzky 
gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. 
In that year he entered into a partnershin 
with the Ure Brothers, in the generaj mer- 
chandise business, and in June, 1890, he 
boui^ht out their interest and is continuing- 
the business alone. He keeps in stock a 
choice selection of goods and has a tine ti-ade 
that extends over a large amount of territory. 

Mr. Sterritzky was mari'ied, February 25, 
1861, to Katie Miller, daughter of Lamberd 
Miller, an old pioneer of Clark County. He 
had a family of four daughters, Ivatie beino- 
the second born. She received her education 
in this county and her husband was educated 
in the German schools of Milwaukee. The 
latter is fond of reading and keeps himself 
posted on current topics of the day. Mr. 
and Mrs. Sterritzky have two .sens and two 
daughters, all having received fair educa- 
tional advantages. Anna attended the dis- 
trict schools and also devoted two terms to 
the study of the (lerman language. She i.s 
now assisting her father in the store. Mr. 



378 



BIOOBAPnWAL HTSTOnV OF 



Sterritzky lias served the public in many 
capacities; was School Director one term; 
Treasurer and Clerk of the School Board 
three years; Town Clerk five years; Chair- 
man of the Town Board five years; Treasurer 
of the Town Board four years; Assessor two 
years; Justice of the Peace since the town of 
Lynn was organized; is now a Notary Pub- 
lic, and has been Postmaster nineteen years. 
He was one of the foremost men in the 
organization of the Lynn Mutual Fire In- 
surance Company, in 1878, and has been 
secretary of the same since its organization. 
He has never taken much intererest in poli- 
tics until the present election; has always 
been a Democrat. He favors the public 
school system, while he believes that parents 
should have a control over their own children 
in selecting what studies they pursue. 

In speaking of the early hardships the pio- 
neers endured, Mr. Sterritzky remarked that, 
in 1856, when he located in Lynn, they had 
to go a distance of sixty-live miles for seed 
wheat, and some of their provisions were 
brought from La Crosse. That winter a deep 
snow fell, and the advent of spring was wel- 
comed by all. 



fOSEPH AUQUETTE, hotel-keeper at 
Lynn, Clark County, was born at Beards- 
town, Illinois, February 22, 1836, the 
second son of a family of seven children, 
four of whom grew up, three sons and one 
daughter. Mitchell Arquette, the father, was 
born in La Prairie, Canada, one of a family 
of four sous and three daughters, all with one 
exception remaining in Canada. His grand- 
father was one of the early pioneers near 
Montreal, and was a farmer. Mitchell Ar- 
quette's children were: John, who is living 
in the town of llichtield. Wood County, this 



State, and Mary, now the wife of George 
Dawes, in Necedah, Juneau County, this 
State. John Arquette has been twice mar- 
ried, and has three sons and two daughters. 

Mitchell Arquette was employed by the 
Hudson Bay Company for ten years, and was 
a man who endured great hardships in the 
early years of his life, between eighteen and 
thirty. He was past middle life when he 
married Margaret Rol)bie, the daughter of a 
l^Vencliman of great mechanical and engi- 
neering skill. He became a citizen of the 
United States when about thirty years of age, 
or soon after he quit the Hudson Bay Com- 
pany. Thereafter he was employed about 
twenty years by the American Fur Company, 
in their trapping and hunting and dealing 
with the Indians. Here is a demonstration 
that a life in the woods and in camp, with 
its hardships, does not always mean a short 
duration of life, as he lived to be ninety-six 
years of age, retaining his mental faculties 
almost unimpared to the last. But he was 
preceded by a still more remarkable instance 
of longevity, has father having reached the 
extreme old age of 104 years! 

Joseph Arquette's brothers and sisters 
were born in the United States. Joseph 
married Mary Ann Bradby, of Kilbourn 
City, Wisconsin, October 16, 1857, when 
twenty- one years of age, and they have five 
children living, namely: Carrie M., born 
May 4, 1860; Emma, born December 1, 
1868; James F., born April 15, 1865; Celia 
J., September 28, 1867, and Mary E., Octo- 
ber 20, 1872. Carrie married Joseph No- 
watney, since deceased, and has four children, 
viz.; Earl C, born June 13, 1881; Grace II., 
born July 22, 1883; Joseph G., born January 
4, 1885, and Mary Maud, July 12, 1887. 
Emma married George Kenister and has the 
following named children: George E., born 
April 18, 1883; Joseph H., June 24, 1884; 



CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES 



379 



Bert A., November 27, 1886; Stella, born 
July 17, 1890. The remaining members of 
the family are sincrje. Mrs. Arquette's 
mother, whose age is seventy-four years, is 
living witli the family, enjoying good health; 
her husband died at the ase of seventy-two 
years. 

Mr. Arquette, whose name heads this 
sketch, durintr the late war enlisted in Coni- 
j)any C, Fit'ty-eighth Ohio Volunteer In- 
fantry, and served to the end of that great 
struggle, being discharged in the autumn of 
1865, at Columbus, Ohio. 

"*" "f ' S"g -|«-"-°-— 



^EV. CIIAliLES A. SMITH, aiarmeron 
section 23, Loyal Township, and a min- 
ister of the Seventh-Day Adventist 
Church, was born in Penn Yan, Yates County, 
New York, a son of Albert W. and Harriet 
A. (Swartzwout) Smith, natives of Steuben 
County, same State, who, in 1843, settled in 
Waukesha Count}', Wisconsin; later they 
removed to Plover, Portage County, where 
Mrs. Smith died, in 1849, aged about twenty- 
nine years. He afterward returned to Wau- 
kt'slia County, but now lives in Monroe 
Count}', this State, aged seventy-four yeai^s. 
He has been a farmer and a minister of the 
Free will Baptist Church, be<jinninn- to 
preach when about twenty-one years of ao-e. 
Exercising his ministerial gifts oidy in a 
sparsely settled country of pioneers and hav- 
ing met with many financial reverses, his 
'•treasures upon earth" are at present not 
very extensive. He has had seven children, 
viz.: George, Charles A., Adaline, Emma, 
Eli, Elias and Judson, of whom the eldest 
and three youngest are deceased. 

Mr. Smith, of this sketch, was reared in 
Waukesha and i'ortage counties, on a larin. 
At the age of eleven years he began vvorkino- 



out by the month, and at the age of twenty 
began teaching school, in Dane County, and 
followed that vocation until the spring of 
1861. In August followino; ho ioined the 
army as a private in Company E, Eighth 
Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and after 
serving out the time of that enlistment he 
re-enlisted and served until the close of the 
war, being honorably discharged and mus- 
tered out at Demopolis, Alabama, in Sep- 
tember, 1865. In January, 1863, he was 
promoted to be First Sergeant. The arena 
of his military career emljraced Tennessee, 
Kentucky, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, 
Arkatisas and Missouri. He participated in 
the siege and capture of Vicksburg, Banks' 
Red River expedition, second battle of Nash- 
ville, siege and capture of Spanish Fort, etc. 

After the war he came to Dane County 
and soon moved to Clark County, homestead- 
ing 160 acres of timi)er land where he now 
lives. Here he i)uilt a log-house 18 x 28 
feet and a story and a-half high, and at once 
began clearing up the land for cultivation. 
His place was at first many miles in the 
woods from any neighbor, and there were no 
roads. Altogether he has cleared here ai>out 
eighty acres. He now owns eighty acres 
where he lives, besides 240 acres of timber 
land on sections 24 and 25 in the town- 
ship of Loyal. He started out in life 
with only what money he received when dis- 
charged from the army. lie has given all 
his time to farminjr until within the last 
three years, which he has devoted more to 
the ministry. He joined the Seventh- l^ay 
Adventist Church in 1874, and in 1887 was 
licensed to preach. He has held almost all 
the otHces of his townshij); he is a llc^pub- 
lican. 

.lanuary 4, 1863, is the ilate of bis mar- 
riatre to Augusta M. Miles, of Dane (lountv, 
who was burn in Erie County, IV-niisylvaiiia, 



380 



BIOGRAPHICAL UiaTOHY OF 



March 16, 1843, a daughter of Samuel J. 
and Sarah (Burch) Miles, natives respectively 
of Pennsylvania and New York. They came 
to Dane County and settled on a farm near 
Madison, where they still live, each aged 
sixty-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Smith iiave 
had two children: Harriet A., now the wife 
of Eobert A. Brasier, a farmer in Loyal 
Township; and Allen J., who died when an 
infant. 



I^AVID EBENEZER METCALFE, a 
farmer of section 12, township 24, 
rano-e 24, was born in the Province of 
Ontario, Canada, August 16, 1848, the eldest 
of a family of four sons and two daughters. 
His father, Henry Metcalfe, was a native of 
Yorkshire, England, of English ancestry, and 
his grandfatlier was one of seven brothers, 
all of whom have had interesting careers. 
One l)ranch of the family came to Canada, 
one went to India and one settled in Cuba. 
Ill the Canadian brancli the second son is a 
iiliysieian in Thurso, Ontario, the third is a 
merchant at Smith's Falls in that dominion, 
and the fourth occnpies the old homestead in 
Canada, with the mother. 

Mr. Metcalfe, whose name introduces this 
sketch, came from the East to Wisconsin in 
the fall of 1867, but did not settle at liis 
present home until 1874, in the meantime 
being in and out of the county at intervals. 
From that date his interests have been in the 
farm, where he has done a great work in 
l)ringiiig it up to its present state of per- 
fection. Meanwhile lie has also taken an 
active interest in town and county affairs, as 
a member of the County Board and as Town 
Treasurer. 

He married Miss Lillian Kipp, who was 
born November 28, 1857, a daughter of 



Zaecheus Palmer Kipp, of Ceiitralia, Wis- 
consin. The Kipp family trace tlieir ances- 
try back to England, and likewise do Mrs. 
Metcalfe's mother's ancestry, the Newcoinbes. 



TEPHEN WELCH was born in Dexter, 
Michigan, April 28, 1835, son of John 
and Ann Welch, natives of Ireland. His 
fatiier lived to the advanced age of eighty 
years, and his mother was 102 when she died! 
They came to Wisconsin when Stephen was 
six years old and made their iiome in Mil- 
waukee for twelve years. He was the young- 
est of their six children, four of whom are 
still living. All are engaged in engineering 
except one wlio works in the rolling mills of 
Milwaukee. Mr. Welch received his edu- 
cation ill Milwaukee and remained with his 
parents until the fall of 1861, the time of his 
enlistment in the army. He served as a pri- 
vate in Company F, Twelfth Wisconsin In- 
fantry, and participated in the battles of 
Holly Springs and Vicksburg, Mississippi, 
and with Sherman to Atlanta. He was a brave 
and faithful soldier during the entire term of 
his enlistment, and received an honorable 
discharge in 1865, after which he returned 
to his home in Waukesha County, Wiscon- 
sin. He saved the money he earned while in 
the army and after he came home he paid off 
the indebtedness existing on his father's farm. 
In 1866 Mr. Welch located permanently in 
Clark County. Here for twelve years he 
worked in the woods for one man. 

After remaining single forty years, the 
subject of our sketch took to himself a wife. 
Johanna Cushing, the lady of his choice, was 
born in 1858. This union has been blessed 
with three children, two of whom are living: 
Joiin James and Angeline, both attending the 
district schools. Mr. Welch resides on a 



CLARK jiND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



381 



farm on section 15, Grant Township. He is 
a Kepiiblican and a believer in the Bennett 
law. 

— «^,.«l„j„j-.-j;*-."«- — - 

yl^riARLES BENJAMIN TRAVIS, fur- 
niture dealer at Ilunibird, Clark County, 
was born in Chenango County, New 
York, Febrary 18, 1836, the only child of 
Benjamin Travis. His father was born in 
Westchester County, that State, in a family 
of live sons and two daugiiters, ail of whom 
were natives of that county. The grand- 
father Travis was also born in that county, 
in 1782, of a line of ancestry that cannot be 
further traced. He served in the war of 
1812 and was wounded, but lived to the age 
of seventy-eight years, after having settletl 
near Madison, this State. Tlie grandmother's 
ancestry were English; her maiden name was 
Mary Ann Thompson. 

Benjamin Travis arrived in Wisconsin 
June 1, 1846, driving from Milwaukee to 
Madison witli a hireii team, tliere being no 
stage at the time. The family had come all 
tlie way from Chenango Forks, JS'ew York, 
i)y canal to Buffalo, and thence to Milwaukee 
on a steam propeller, the lake voyage re- 
(juiriiig eighteen days. 

Mr. Charles B. Travis, our subject, spent 
a portion of liis time friun 1856 to 187-1 in 
Jackson and Clark counties, and t-ince that 
date has l)een a permanent resident of tlie 
town of Mentor. In 1861 he offered liim- 
self for eidistinent as a hundred-day man in 
the army, under the first call for volunteers, 
and was rejected; afterward he was again re- 
jected as a cavalryman, and as au infantry- 
man in the Eighth Wisconsin, but in 1864 
he was accepted and was given the position 
of carpenter. He was sworn into service at 
St. Louis, Missouri, August 26, and was sent 
to Nasiiville, Ttimessee. 



After tlie war was over he returned to the 
Nortii, and, October 4, 1866, married Josephine 
H. Niles, of Dane County, Wisconsin, who 
was born April 21, 1839, the cldestof eleven 
children, five daughters and si.K sons, natives 
of Tolland County, Connecticut; seven of 
these are still livinrr, Imt none in this State 
excepting Mrs. Travis. This lady taught 
school most of the time from tlie acre of 
sixteen years to about seven years ago; 
lias taught seven years in Clark County, the 
rest of the time in Dane County and in Mail- 
isoii. She is now a member of the Board of 
Education. Mr. Travis is Justice of tin; 
Peace of the village and Town Clerk; lias 
been Deputy Sheriff of Clark County, and 
was Postmaster during Cleveland's adminis- 
tration. He takes an active interest in pub- 
lic affairs. 



l||SCAR F. ROLLINS, a farmer of sec- 
tion 7, township 25, was liorn Decem- 
ber 30, 1847, in Aroostook County, 
Maine, a member of a family of six sons and 
two daughters, of whom all but one are liv- 
ing. The parents, John and Josephine M. 
(Pishioii) Rollins, emigrated from Maine to 
Michigan in the early '50s, and nine years 
afterward came to Adams County, Wiscon- 
sin, and eight years still later to Clark County, 
with a team in mid-winter, and settled on sec- 
tion 9, township 25, range 1 east, wliere the 
mother now resides. The two eldest children 
were boin in Maine, the next two in Michi- 
gan, and the remaining four in Wisconsin. 
Four sons and one daughter live in (!huk 
County. Ouv, the younge-t son, is still iin- 
niarried. Or' the earliest progenitors of the 
family in America but little is known. The 
father lived to the age of sixty-seven years, 
was very domestic in his tastes and neighborly. 
As the name would indicate, the; maternal 



882 



BIOORAPHWAL EISTOIiT OF 



line was of French extraction; the word du 
was formerly a part of the name, as "du 
Pichion." In her father's family were five 
daughters and two sons, natives of Maine. 

Mr. Rollins was married January 6, 1873, 
to Sarah Jane Heath, and by this union are 
Eosa May, born July 30, 1876; William 
Henry, born November 1, 1877; and Frank 



Leslie, born August 26, 1879. Mrs. Rollins 
was the youngest child of Jehiel Heath, and 
was born December 14, 1852. (A sketch of 
Mr. Heath's family is given elsewhere in this 
volume.) Mr. Rollins comes of a liardy race, 
and in his younger days he was an efficient 
laborer in the logging camps for fifteen years 
or more. 







CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 



383 



ADDENDUM. 



W. T. TRICE. 

From the Congressio7ial Record, giving the 
proceedings of the House of Representatives 
for Februarj 9, 1887, we take the following 
address of United States Senator Spooner, of 
Wisconsin, giving additional facts and testi- 
monials regarding the life and character of 
Hon. W. T. Price: 

" In the spring of 1845, rich in ambition, 
energy and the other elements of trne man- 
liood, hut, like so many thousands who pre- 
ceded and who followed him from the 
populous East to the Western land of hope, 
poor in every other way, Mr. Price turned 
bis face and steps westward, and landed at 
Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, ill-clad and travel- 
stained, with only 25 cents in his pocket and 
an ax, which he well knew how to use, upon 
his shoulder. In the antumn of the same 
year he went to Black liiver Falls, Wisconsin, 
wiiere among the stately waving pines he 
pitched his tent. From that day on he knew 
no other home 

" From the time of his settlement in Wis- 
consin to his death he was an important fac- 
tor, both in the public service and in the 
business life of the region in which he dwelt. 
In 1849 he was Deputy Sheriff of Crawford 
County, which then included what is now the 
county of Jackson. He was a member of the 
first law firm in tiie latler county, and in 1854 
was elected the first Judge of tiiat county. 
He was a member of the Legislative Assem- 
bly of the State in 1851-'52; County Treas- 
urer in 1856-'57; Collector of Internal Reve- 
nue from 1803 to 1865; Presidential Elector 



on the Republican ticket in 18G8; member of 
the State Senate 1857, 1870-'71, and 1878- 
'81; President of the Senate in 1879; Presi- 
dent of the Agricultural Society of his county 
for seven years; the first President of the 
Tomah & Lake St. Croi.x Railway Company, 
(afterward the West Wisconsin Railway Com- 
pany); President of the Jackson County Batik 
from its organization until 1884; Chaii-man 
of the Town Board of his town for eight years 
or more, and President of the village of Black 
River Falls. He was also elected to the 
Forth-eighth, Forty-ninth and Fiftieth Con- 
gresses, receiving at the last election, though 
helpless through the illness which resulted in 
his death and unable to take any part in the 
canvass, over 12,000 majority, — a majority 
larger than ever befoi'e cast for a Congres- 
sional candidate in that State. 

" For a few years prior to the commercial 
panic of 1857 he was a niemlierof a mercan- 
tile firm, wjiich went down during the panic; 
and all tlie accumulations which the toil and 
energy of years had brought to him were in 
a day sw-ept away, leaving him, as he used to 
say, over $15,000 worse off than nothing; 
luit, undaunted and undisconraged, lie set to 
work and in a tew years had, single-handed, 
redeemed, with interest, the part which bore 
the name of his firm. His business life 
thenceforward was successful, and he amassed 
a considerable fortune. 

" During the forty-one years of his life in 
Wisconsin, he was e.xtensively engaged in 
lumbering operations, and came to be oiu^ of 
the principal loggers in the State, cutting and 



384 



BIOORAPHICAL HISTORT OF 



floating to market during the last five years 
of his life an average of 60,000,000 feet of 
logs each year. 

" As lias been seen, he was familiar, almost 
from the outset of his career in Wisconsin to 
the day of his death, with public duties of 
different grades, from the offices of the town 
and village to that of Member of Congress; 
and I assert only what goes without saying 
in my State when I say that he brought to 
the discharge of every public duty tireless 
industry, patient and intelligent attention to 
detail and unusual sagacity. He had a pe- 
culiarly correct idea of citizenship. To him 
the government. State and national, was not 
a, far-away, fanciful thing in which the indi- 
vidual citizen had no direct interest. He 
realized tiiat tlie natioTi is only an aggrega- 
tion of individuals, and that under our sys- 
tem of government the ultimate success of 
the whole vitally depends upon the intelli- 
gence and vitality with which such citizen 
discharges his duty, and therefore he attended, 
not as a ward politician or in any sense a 
political boss, but as a citizen, every primary 
and every meeting which took cognizance of 
public affairs. * * * 

'• There was no neutral tint in this man's 
character, being in everything aggressive, 
and a force iu whatever he undertook. He 
was no laggard in any lelatiun of life. In 
business there seemed to be no limit to his 
capacity or endurance. He managed with 
great sagacity, energy and success many dif- 
ferent branches at the same time, and on a 
large scale, any one of which would have 
overta.\ed an ordinary man. He employed 
hundreds of men at a time, always paid them 
good wages, and demanded of them faithful 
service. He despised a drone, and no man 
better appreciated manly qualities, under 
whatever guise; and so in the logging camp, 
and on the great "log drives" amono; hun- 



dreds of rough men, he was a master, not by 
reason of his wealth, or because he was ena- 
ployer, but by force of his energy and ability, 
and because he himself had been a wage- 
worker among woodsmen. He was an e.\- 
acting employer, but his men loved him, for 
he was generous and just to them ; and on the 
wintry day of his l)urial, which brought 
prominent men in large numbers from the 
cities throughout the State to his desolate 
home, there came out from the lumber camps 
up in the pine woods, red-shirted, kind 
hearted lumbermen, to take their part, with 
bowed heads and tear-blinded eyes, in the 
last sad rites of the grave. 

" Mr. Price was a restless man, impatient of 
restraint, intolerant of opposition, recogniz- 
ing no obstacle as absolutely insurmountable. 
Intense, progressive, and a radical in every- 
thing, he rarely hesitated to express his 
opinion of men and things. He was strong 
in his friendships, bitter in his hatreds, al- 
ways outspoken and blunt, sometimes harsh 
in his judgment of friends, sonaetimes unjust, 
doubtless, to opponents; but there was in him 
and in his life so much of generous impulse, 
of good neighborship, of sympathy for all 
who suffered, of honest, faithful public ser- 
vice, and of genuine love of country, that he 
was popular throughout the State and had 
troops of partisans and personal friends. 

•• He was of a nervous temperament, phy- 
sically vigorous and quick of movement, and 
of an exceedingly acute mind. With all the 
details of his great business operations press- 
ing upon him, he would attend a session of 
the Legislature, never voting for an unneces- 
sary adjournment, always at his post master- 
ing the details of legislation, investigating 
with scrupulous care all bills proposing to 
take money from the public treasurj', and 
contributing his full share, and even more, to 
the debates of the session. Quick of thought 



CLARK AND JACKSON COCNTIES. 



381 



and speecli, he analyzed well, and possessed 
too, in a rare degree, the power (jf general- 
ization. Such a man could not fail to be a for- 
midable and dangerous antagonist in deliate. 

" I do not remember to have known a more 
I'apid speaker, eitiier in the halls of legisla- 
tion or on the stump. lie was phenomenally 
(juick at repartee, and e.xcelled in vitupera- 
tive eloquence; but he could he, when fancy 
moved him, pathetic also; and 1 have heard 
many times from his lips, as a legislator, 
speeches eloquent and thrilling in words of 
denunciation, and also in wurds of tenderness 
and pathos. jMo man who knew him will 
gainsay my statement that he was, taken all 
in all, a brilliant man. 

" During the years of my acquaintance 
with him he was a Kepublioan, sturdy and 
steadfast in the essential principles of the 
])arty, hut not always in strict accDnl with its 
policies. There were times when he differed 
with the party; and when he differed from it 
the party always knew it, and upon what 
ground he differed, lie never concealed his 
views upon any subject; and though he was 
thought sometimes to have strayed from the 
party fold none denied his i-ight to sit in the 
party councils, for no one doubted his integ- 
rity. He was a man of great courage, both 
physical and moral, lie would not tolerate 
an imposition or insult, and he was absolutely ! 
fearless of any man any where, and yet he was 
not immodest or without distrust of himself. | 

" He was an attractive speaker to almost 
any audience. When he spoke, men always 
listened. True, he was not always right: who [ 
is? He was always earnest, sincere, bright 
and original. He hated sham, and was al- 
ways ready to attack it wherever he found it. | 
He was an iconoclast, having little reverence ■ 
for tradition. With him no evil acquired 
immunity from lapse of time, nor did age 
constitute a safe armor against his lance. 

26 



"To the national Ooncrress he brouo-lit e\- 
cellent legislative training, a keen sense of 
fidelity to public trust, jiculiar ability and a 
high and reasonable ambition to cNcel. That 
he has won his way and much iiiiin-cssed 
himself upon the body of wbich he was a 
member, eminent associates, oblivious to 
jiarty lines, warmly testify. He was a sub- 
stantial factor in Congressional leijislation, 
not simply for the intelligent labor which he 
])erformed in committee, nor for the measures 
whicli he drafted and the success of whicli he 
promoted, but also in debate. He comiiellcd 
attention, challenged investigation, and, 
whether right or wrong in his premises ami 
conclusion, made those arciund him thiid<. 
Nothing escaped him. He was j)itilcss in 
exposing hypocrisy and denouncing what he 
deemed extravagance, whether it was in the 
a]i])ropriation of a niillon dollars to an unwise 
purpose or a tritling waste of pu!)lic money 
in a Congressional funeral oi' jnid<et. In the 
State legislature, as in the higher ticld of 
legislati<in to whi(di he was calltMl, he was 
careful of the public money, in his view he 
had no rigiit to be generous with it, as he 
miglit be with his own. He was a terror to 
the promoters of suspicious claims ujion the 
treasury and deemed himself absolutely lim- 
ited as a legislator in the ilisbursement of the 
people's money to olijects and pnrposes going 
obviously and directly to the general public 
good. Sentiment went for little with him in 
justification of the expenditure of public 
money, and sometimes therefore he may ha\e 
seemed parsimonious to somi', but this was 
his philosophy as to the obligation of a jniblic. 
sei'vant. 

'•He was very tendt'r of the honor of 
his city, county. State and nation. If the 
people made a bad bargain, througii legisla- 
tion or otherwise, however unpopular it 
grew in time, William T. Price wouhl liaht 



386 



BIOGRAPHICAL EISTORT OF 



determinedly against its repudiation and for 
its enforcement, not in letter simply Imt in 
spirit also. Every man who knew him and 
his history in the State will recall, as I do, 
more than one instance in which he upheld 
what he deemed to be a moral obligation of 
the ]ieople, when it broiight him for a time 
nothino- but oblorinv, distrust and abuse. 

"He wasastroncr advocate alwaysand every- 
where of the rights of women, and of every 
proposition in legislation which would release 
them from wdiat he deemed the bondage of 
the common law and place within their easy 
reacli facilities for education and independ- 
ence more in harmony with the growing 
civilization of the woidd. 

" lie was a devoted friend of the soldier 
and a zealous advocate of liberal ])ensions 
to the soldier and the soldier's widow and 
or])han. This was with him little less 
than a passion. In his very soul he be- 
lieved that to the valor and endurance 
of the grand army which marched to the 
defense of the Union, the people, south as 
well as north, owed a debt which could never 
be discharged. There was in his heart, too, 
a sense of individual oldigation to the Union 
soldier for his home, his fortune, his future, 
and the happiness and prosperity of tliose 
whom he held dear. The faded, dust-stained, 
Ijattle-torn uniforn of the Federal soldier was 
to him brighter than the purple robes of 
royalty, and an honorable discharge from the 
Union army was in his opinion the highest 
patent of nobility that could come to any 
man on earth; and so it was that he labored 
in season and out of season for the benefit of 
the soldier, and "pension night'' always 
found William T. Price in his seat. Upon 
this subject, as upon all others, he had his 
own netions; and the Record shows him to 
have voted alone sometimes when it would 
ha\e been much easier to have irone with the 



multitude. Whatever may be said of his 
positions, none but his enemies questioned 
his motives, and even they could not fail to 
admire his courage. 

" lie was a public-spirited and generous 
man. Public improvements found in him 
always a firm friend. When a charity 
was to be inaugurated the first man to 
head a subscription paper was Mr. Price; 
when a church debt, whatever the denomina- 
tion, was to be lifted he put his shoulder 
under the load; when a duIjUc library was to 
be procured he was prompt and princely in 
his donation. 

" His secretary tells me that when, at 
the end of the last session, weary and ill, 
he was going home to rest, he assisted 
him to reckon up his expenditures for the 
session, and Mr. Price found himself about 
$900 short and unaccounted for. Ujion 
investicration he found that he had sent it in 
little sums from time to time during the 
session to soldiers and soldiers' widows and 
orphans, whose pitiful letters had touched his 
heart, and who were waiting in distress for 
the day to come when the Pension Depart- 
ment should aft'ord them relief. The circle 
of his private benefactions was a large one. 
No one but he knew how large it was, for he 
gave in his own -way and in his own time, 
and published no bulletin of his charities. 
He was the good angel of mai.y a poor man's 
home. When the specter of starvation stood 
at the threshold Mr. Price drove it away. 
AVhen sickness came to a neighbor, and the 
shadow of death settled upon any one's home 
within his knowledge, he was there, in his 
own way, and it was not quite like any other 
man's way, to comfort and to help. 

" In the early days of his Wisconsin life and 
while yet his home was on the frontier, he 
sometimes joined the revels of the hardy 
and adventurous men by whom he was sur- 



CLARK AND JACKSON COL'NTIES. 



387 



TouiiiJed; liiit lung, lou^' years ii<H.t he turned 
with loathing from tlie wiiie-cui). ami to the 
hour of Ills death wa-- a strong, active, 
iiCTgrepsive temperance orator and agitator, 
ani-l so known throii<jliiMit the State. lie 
was a tirm believer in prohibition, and strove 
earnestly and persistently to bring it about; 
but he always sought the accomplislimen t oi' 
tlii> purpose within the raidcs of his ciwii 
political party. lie considered the trathc in 
intoxicating drink an unmitigated curse, and 
was <.i|)posed to recognizing its legality by 
license laws or otherwise, lie demanded its 
obliteration. In the lecturer I'oom. on the 
stump, in the legislature, in the halls of Con- 
gress, everywhere, he never failed to denounce 
it with all the powei' and eloipience and sar- 
casm whicli he possessed, and he everywhere 
])leaded with powerful pathos for all the 
^■ood which temperance l.)rings and which 
drunkenness destroys. He had bittei-ness of 
heart and speech for those, wliether men or 
women, who tempted, anywliere (_in the earth, 
a brother to put the chalice to his lips; but 
,he had oven womanly tenderness and pity, 



and a patience almost more than human, for 
him who was held in thralldom by the hal)it 
of drink. To such lie was patient, watchful, 
helpful. Xo matter how often they stumbled 
and fell, his hand was t)utstreti-lied to them, 
and many such an one encouraged, aideil and 
strengthened by him, was led 

To build ;i new life on a nuuei.1 life, 
To make llie tuture fairer tbiui tlie past, 
Ami make the past apjiear a troubled dream. 

In tln^ region where he lived and lies 
buried, many a cliild has l)een and \\ill l)e 
taught to look upon his pictured face as that 
of the friend whose sympathy and substantial 
help led the liu<baiui and father of that 
household out fi-om the blackness of niifht 
into the soft, sweet light of a happy home. 
Mr. i^rica was very near the [jopular heart in 
AVisconsin, and his mime and fame will be 
always bright among her treasures. II is 
most exactino' friend can wish for him no 
better epitaph than the true story iif what he 
did and was, and no nobler monument than 
that which he himself ilid build." 



"• c» > 






:x)-¥ 



1/ V' ,:(l!l,. 'iN,..'l'' 



•^'XV. ^-TV 



; '^ r 



? *^«»h 




l.-'^^^-'--^%^ 






^ Ki 



Z'y*^i%'f'''M ' 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



I III 111 Hi nil nil nil 
014 754 932 5« 







'£r 



i-^ 


->-. 




^ 


^^ 


mf{j 


■i>y- 






^*S!a.'-«W-..':sslM 









